Math  /  Trigonometry

Questioncscθ=165sinθ=516\begin{array}{l} \csc \theta=\frac{16}{5} \\ \sin \theta=\frac{5}{16} \end{array} (Simplify your answer, including any radicals. Use integers or fractions for any numbers in the expression.) cosθ=\cos \theta=\square (Simplify your answer, including any radicals. Use integers or fractions for any numbers in the expression.)

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? Given the cosecant of an angle θ\theta is 165\frac{16}{5}, we need to find the cosine of that same angle. Watch out! Remember the relationship between sine, cosine, and the Pythagorean identity!
Don't mix up the sides of your right triangle.

STEP 2

1. Find the sine of the angle.
2. Use the Pythagorean identity to find the cosine of the angle.

STEP 3

We're given that cscθ=165\csc \theta = \frac{16}{5}.
Remember that cosecant is the reciprocal of sine!
So, if cscθ=165\csc \theta = \frac{16}{5}, then sinθ=1cscθ\sin \theta = \frac{1}{\csc \theta}.

STEP 4

Let's **calculate** the sine of θ\theta: sinθ=1165=516 \sin \theta = \frac{1}{\frac{16}{5}} = \frac{5}{16} So, sinθ=516\sin \theta = \frac{\textbf{5}}{\textbf{16}}.
Awesome!

STEP 5

The **Pythagorean identity** states: sin2θ+cos2θ=1 \sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1 This is a superstar equation in trigonometry!
It connects sine and cosine.
We know sinθ\sin \theta, so we can use this identity to find cosθ\cos \theta.

STEP 6

Let's **plug in** our value for sinθ\sin \theta: (516)2+cos2θ=1 \left(\frac{5}{16}\right)^2 + \cos^2 \theta = 1 25256+cos2θ=1 \frac{25}{256} + \cos^2 \theta = 1

STEP 7

Now, let's **isolate** cos2θ\cos^2 \theta by subtracting 25256\frac{25}{256} from both sides of the equation: cos2θ=125256 \cos^2 \theta = 1 - \frac{25}{256} To subtract, we need a common denominator, which is **256**.
We can rewrite 11 as 256256\frac{256}{256}: cos2θ=25625625256=231256 \cos^2 \theta = \frac{256}{256} - \frac{25}{256} = \frac{\textbf{231}}{\textbf{256}}

STEP 8

To find cosθ\cos \theta, we take the **square root** of both sides: cosθ=±231256=±231256=±23116 \cos \theta = \pm \sqrt{\frac{231}{256}} = \pm \frac{\sqrt{231}}{\sqrt{256}} = \pm \frac{\sqrt{231}}{16} So, cosθ=±23116\cos \theta = \pm \frac{\sqrt{\textbf{231}}}{\textbf{16}}.
We've got our cosine value!

STEP 9

cosθ=±23116\cos \theta = \pm \frac{\sqrt{231}}{16}

Was this helpful?

Studdy solves anything!

banner

Start learning now

Download Studdy AI Tutor now. Learn with ease and get all help you need to be successful at school.

ParentsInfluencer programContactPolicyTerms
TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTokDiscord