Trigonometry
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Math › Trigonometry
Which of the following is the correct definition of a phase shift?
A measure of the length of a function between vertical asymptotes
The distance a function is shifted diagonally from the general position
The distance a function is shifted horizontally from the general position
The distance a function is shifted vertically from the general position
Explanation
Take the function for example. The graph for
is
If we were to change the function to , our phase shift is
. This means we need to shift our entire graph
units to the left.
Our new graph is the following
Change the following expression to degrees:
Explanation
First we need to simplify the expression:
Now multiply by :
Convert to degrees:
Explanation
To convert radians to degrees, we need to multiply the given radians by .
Convert into degrees.
Explanation
Recall that there are 360 degrees in a circle which is equivalent to radians. In order to convert between radians and degrees use the relationship that,
.
Therefore, in order to convert from radians to degrees you need to multiply by . So in this particular case,
.
What angle is complementary to ?
Explanation
Two complementary angles add up to .
Therefore, .

What is if
and
?
Explanation
In order to find we need to utilize the given information in the problem. We are given the opposite and adjacent sides. We can then, by definition, find the
of
and its measure in degrees by utilizing the
function.
Now to find the measure of the angle using the function.
If you calculated the angle's measure to be then your calculator was set to radians and needs to be set on degrees.

What is if
and
?
Explanation
In order to find we need to utilize the given information in the problem. We are given the opposite and adjacent sides. We can then, by definition, find the
of
and its measure in degrees by utilizing the
function.
Now to find the measure of the angle using the function.
If you calculated the angle's measure to be then your calculator was set to radians and needs to be set on degrees.
Which of these is equal to for angle
?
Explanation
, as it is the inverse of the
function. This is therefore the answer.
Using trigonometric identities prove whether the following is valid:
True
False
Uncertain
Only in the range of:
Only in the range of:
Explanation
We can work with either side of the equation as we choose. We work with the right hand side of the equation since there is an obvious double angle here. We can factor the numerator to receive the following:
Next we note the power reducing formula for sine so we can extract the necessary components as follows:
The power reducing formula must be inverted giving:
Now we can distribute and reduce:
Finally recalling the basic identity for the cotangent:
This proves the equivalence.
Simplify
Explanation
The first step to simplifying is to remember an important trig identity.
If we rewrite it to look like the denominator, it is.
Now we can substitute this in the denominator.
Now write each term separately.
Remember the following identities.
Now simplify, and combine each term.