# Precalculus : Find the degree measure of an angle for which the value of a trigonometric function is known

## Example Questions

### Example Question #6 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Solve for all x on the interval

,

,

,

,

,

Explanation:

Solve for all x on the interval

We can begin by recalling which two quadrants have a positive sine. Because sine corresponds to the y-value, we know that sine is positive in quadrants I and II.

Next, recall where we get .

always corresponds to our -increment angles. In this case, the angles we are looking for are  and , because those are the two -increment angles in the first two quadrants.

Now, you might be saying, "what about ? That is an increment of 45."

While that is true, , not

,

### Example Question #7 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Solve for all x on the interval

Explanation:

Solve for all x on the interval

Remember Soh, Cah, Toa?

For this problem it helps to recall that

Since our tangent is equal to 1 in this problem, we know that our opposite and adjacent sides must be the same (otherwise we wouldn't get "1" when we divided them)

Can you think of any angles in the first quadrant which yield equal x and y values?

If you guessed  you guessed right! Remember that your  angle in the unit circle will give you a  triangle, which will have equal height and base.

### Example Question #8 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Find 1 possible value of  Given the following:

Explanation:

Find 1 possible value of  Given the following:

Recall that

So if , then

Thinking back to our unit circle, recall that cosine corresponds to the x-value. Therefore, we must be in quadrants II or III.

So, which angles correspond to an x-value of -0.5? Well, they must be the angles closest to the y-axis, which are our  increment angles.

This means our angle must be either

or

It must be , because 240 is not an option.

Note that there are technically infinte solutions, because we are not given a specific interval. However, we only need to worry about one.

### Example Question #9 : Evaluating Trig Functions

The above triangle is a right triangle. Find the value of  (in degrees).

Explanation:

One can setup the relationship

After taking the arccosine,

the arccosine cancels out the cosine leaving just the value of .

### Example Question #10 : Evaluating Trig Functions

What is the value of  (in degrees)?

Explanation:

One can setup the relationship

.

After taking the arctangent,

the arctangent cancels out the tangent and we are left with the value of .

### Example Question #1 : Find The Degree Measure Of An Angle For Which The Value Of A Trigonometric Function Is Known

Solve for :

or

or

or

or

or

or

Explanation:

If the sine of an angle, in this case  is , the angle must be or .

Then we need to solve for theta by dividing by 3:

### Example Question #2 : Find The Degree Measure Of An Angle For Which The Value Of A Trigonometric Function Is Known

Which of the following could be a value of ?

Explanation:

Which of the following could be a value of ?

To begin, it will be helpful to recall the following property of tangent:

This means that if  our sine and cosine must have equal absolute values, but with opposite signs.

The only place where we will have equal values for sine and cosine will be at the locations halfway between our quadrantal angles (axes). In other words, our answer will align with one of the  angles.

Additionally, because our sine and cosine must have opposite signs (one negative and one positive), we need to be in either quadrant 2 or quadrant 4. There is only answer from either of those two, so our answer must be .

### Example Question #3 : Find The Degree Measure Of An Angle For Which The Value Of A Trigonometric Function Is Known

Find  if  and it is located in Quadrant I.