Solve cos(θ + π/2) if sin θ = 3/7 Exactly

  • Thread starter oddjobmj
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In summary, to find cos(θ + π/2) when sin θ = 3/7, one can draw a right angled triangle with an angle θ, with the opposite side as 3 and the hypotenuse as 7 and use the fact that cos(\theta+\pi/2)=-sin\theta to easily find the value. Alternatively, one can expand out cos(θ + π/2) and use the known graphs of cosine and sine to determine the equivalent result.
  • #1
oddjobmj
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Homework Statement



Evaluate cos(θ + π/2) if sin θ = 3/7, exactly.

Homework Equations



How do I go about doing this exactly instead of approximately on the calculator?

The Attempt at a Solution



The only way I know how to do it is taking the inverse sin of 3/7 and adding 90 degrees and taking the cos of that result.

Thank you for your time!
 
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  • #2
If sin θ = 3/7 and sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse, can you draw a right angled triangle, with an angle θ, with the opposite side as 3 and the hypotenuse as 7 and find what cosθ is?

What do you get when you expand out cos(θ + π/2)?

EDIT: expand out cos(θ + π/2) first and then see what quantities you need to find.
 
  • #3
Wow, way easier than I was letting it be. Thank you!
 
  • #4
Or use the fact that [tex]cos(\theta+\pi/2)=-sin\theta[/tex]

edit: you would probably realize this after expanding the cosine, but if you didn't know how to, using the known graphs of cosx and sinx can give you that result easily.
 
  • #5
I appreciate the reference there Mentallic! The issue I'm having is, unfortunately, a lack of time to memorize certain equations and equivalents for an exam.
 
  • #6
Oh yes of course I never expected you to remember this result. I didn't even have this memorised, I had to graph [itex]cos(x+\pi/2)[/itex] to see what it was equivalent to.
 
  • #7
Haha, that makes me feel a little better :P
 

FAQ: Solve cos(θ + π/2) if sin θ = 3/7 Exactly

What does the equation cos(θ + π/2) mean?

The equation cos(θ + π/2) represents the cosine function of an angle (θ) added to π/2 radians. In other words, it is the cosine of an angle that is 90 degrees larger than θ.

How do I solve for θ in the equation sin θ = 3/7?

To solve for θ, you can use a calculator or a trigonometric table to find the inverse sine (sin-1) of 3/7. This will give you the value of θ in radians. Alternatively, you can use the unit circle and the Pythagorean identity (sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1) to solve for θ.

Can you explain the relationship between sin θ and cos(θ + π/2)?

The relationship between sin θ and cos(θ + π/2) is based on the unit circle. As θ increases from 0 to π/2, sin θ increases while cos θ decreases. This means that when θ is added to π/2, sin θ becomes cos θ and vice versa. Therefore, cos(θ + π/2) is equivalent to -sin θ.

What is the value of cos(θ + π/2) if sin θ is negative?

If sin θ is negative, it means that θ is in the third or fourth quadrant of the unit circle. In these quadrants, cos θ is also negative. Therefore, cos(θ + π/2) will be positive since it is equivalent to -sin θ. The exact value will depend on the magnitude of θ.

How can I use this equation in practical applications?

The equation cos(θ + π/2) is commonly used in physics and engineering to represent the phase difference between two oscillating systems. It can also be used in navigation and surveying to calculate the direction of an object relative to a reference point. In real-world scenarios, the values of θ and π/2 can be replaced with specific angles or measurements to solve for unknown quantities.

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