Math  /  Trigonometry

Question6) Given that sinπ6=12\sin \frac{\pi}{6}=\frac{1}{2}, use an equivalent trigonometric expression to show that cosπ3=12\cos \frac{\pi}{3}=\frac{1}{2}

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're asked to prove that cosπ3\cos{\frac{\pi}{3}} is equal to 12\frac{1}{2}, using the fact that sinπ6\sin{\frac{\pi}{6}} is 12\frac{1}{2} and some trigonometric magic! Watch out! Remember those tricky trigonometric identities!
We need to pick the *right* one to connect sine and cosine.

STEP 2

1. Relate the angles
2. Apply the co-function identity
3. Calculate the result

STEP 3

To make it easier to see the relationship between π6\frac{\pi}{6} and π3\frac{\pi}{3}, let's convert them to degrees!
Remember, π\pi radians is equal to 180180 degrees.
So, π6\frac{\pi}{6} radians is 1806=30\frac{180}{6} = 30 degrees, and π3\frac{\pi}{3} radians is 1803=60\frac{180}{3} = 60 degrees.

STEP 4

Notice that 3030 degrees and 6060 degrees are **complementary angles**, meaning they add up to 9090 degrees (30+60=9030 + 60 = 90).
This is a major clue that we should use a co-function identity!

STEP 5

The co-function identity that relates sine and cosine is sin(x)=cos(90x)\sin(x) = \cos(90^\circ - x) when using degrees, or sin(x)=cos(π2x)\sin(x) = \cos(\frac{\pi}{2} - x) when using radians.
This identity tells us that the sine of an angle is equal to the cosine of its complementary angle.

STEP 6

We know that sin(π6)=12\sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \frac{1}{2}.
Let's substitute x=π6x = \frac{\pi}{6} into our co-function identity: sin(π6)=cos(π2π6)\sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \cos(\frac{\pi}{2} - \frac{\pi}{6}).

STEP 7

Now, let's simplify the expression inside the cosine function: π2π6=3π6π6=2π6=π3\frac{\pi}{2} - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{3\pi}{6} - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{2\pi}{6} = \frac{\pi}{3}.

STEP 8

So, we have sin(π6)=cos(π3)\sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \cos(\frac{\pi}{3}).
We were given that sin(π6)=12\sin(\frac{\pi}{6}) = \frac{1}{2}.
Therefore, cos(π3)=12\cos(\frac{\pi}{3}) = \frac{1}{2}!

STEP 9

We have successfully shown that cosπ3=12\cos{\frac{\pi}{3}} = \frac{1}{2} using the given information and the co-function identity!

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