ACT Math › How to find a reference angle
Using trig identities, simplify sinθ + cotθcosθ
tanθ
secθ
sin2θ
cos2θ
cscθ
Cotθ can be written as cosθ/sinθ, which results in sinθ + cos2θ/sinθ.
Combining to get a single fraction results in (sin2θ + cos2θ)/sinθ.
Knowing that sin2θ + cos2θ = 1, we get 1/sinθ, which can be written as cscθ.
What is the reference angle for ?
A reference angle is the smallest possible angle between a given angle measurement and the x-axis.
In this case, our angle lies in Quadrant II, so we can find our reference angle using the formula
.
Thus, the reference angle for is
.
What is the reference angle for ?
A reference angle is the smallest possible angle between a given angle measurement and the x-axis.
In this case, our angle lies in Quadrant I, so the angle is its own reference angle.
Thus, the reference angle for is
.
What is the reference angle for ?
A reference angle is the smallest possible angle between a given angle measurement and the x-axis.
In this case, our angle lies in Quadrant III, so the angle is found by the formula
.
Thus, the reference angle for is
.
Evaluate the expression below.
At , sine and cosine have the same value.
Cotangent is given by .
Now we can evaluate the expression.
Simplify sec4_Θ_ – tan4_Θ_.
cos_Θ_ – sin_Θ_
tan2_Θ_ – sin2_Θ_
sin_Θ_ + cos_Θ_
sec_Θ_ + sin_Θ_
sec2_Θ_ + tan2_Θ_
Factor using the difference of two squares: _a_2 – _b_2 = (a + b)(a – b)
The identity 1 + tan2_Θ_ = sec2_Θ_ which can be rewritten as 1 = sec2_Θ_ – tan2_Θ_
So sec4_Θ_ – tan4_Θ_ = (sec2_Θ_ + tan2_Θ_)(sec2_Θ_ – tan2_Θ_) = (sec2_Θ_ + tan2_Θ_)(1) = sec2_Θ_ + tan2_Θ_
What is the reference angle for ?
The reference angle is between and
, starting on the positive
-axis and rotating in a counter-clockwise manor.
To find the reference angle, we subtract for each complete revolution until we get a positive number less than
.
is equal to two complete revolutions, plus a
angle. Since
is in Quadrant II, we subtract it from
to get our reference angle:
What is the reference angle of an angle that measures 3510 in standard position?
109
369
90
351
3600 – 3510 = 90
In the unit circle above, if , what are the coordinates of
?
On the unit circle, (X,Y) = (cos Θ, sin Θ).
(cos Θ,sin Θ) = (cos 30º, sin 30º) = (√3 / 2 , 1 / 2)
Using trigonometry identities, simplify sinθcos2θ – sinθ
cos3θ
cos2θsinθ
None of these answers are correct
–sin3θ
sin2θcosθ
Factor the expression to get sinθ(cos2θ – 1).
The trig identity cos2θ + sin2θ = 1 can be reworked to becomes cos2θ – 1 = –sinθ resulting in the simplification of –sin3θ.