Sine and Cosine Function Values
Help Questions
AP Precalculus › Sine and Cosine Function Values
The point $$P(-\frac{5\sqrt{2}}{2}, \frac{5\sqrt{2}}{2})$$ is on a circle of radius 5 centered at the origin. Which of the following could be the angle $$\theta$$ in standard position corresponding to point $$P$$?
$$\frac{\pi}{4}$$
$$\frac{3\pi}{4}$$
$$\frac{7\pi}{4}$$
$$\frac{5\pi}{4}$$
Explanation
The coordinates are given by $$x = r\cos\theta$$ and $$y = r\sin\theta$$. We have $$r=5$$, $$x = -\frac{5\sqrt{2}}{2}$$, and $$y = \frac{5\sqrt{2}}{2}$$. So, $$\cos\theta = \frac{x}{r} = \frac{-5\sqrt{2}/2}{5} = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$ and $$\sin\theta = \frac{y}{r} = \frac{5\sqrt{2}/2}{5} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$. An angle with a negative cosine and a positive sine must be in Quadrant II. The angle in $$[0, 2\pi)$$ that satisfies these conditions is $$\theta = \frac{3\pi}{4}$$.
A point $$P(x,y)$$ on a circle of radius 8 corresponds to an angle $$\theta$$ in standard position. If $$\sin\theta = \frac{3}{4}$$ and the terminal ray of $$\theta$$ is in Quadrant II, what are the coordinates of point $$P$$?
$$(-2\sqrt{7}, \frac{3}{4})$$
$$(6, -2\sqrt{7})$$
$$(-2\sqrt{7}, 6)$$
$$(2\sqrt{7}, 6)$$
Explanation
The coordinates are $$(r\cos\theta, r\sin\theta)$$. We are given $$r=8$$ and $$\sin\theta = \frac{3}{4}$$. The y-coordinate is $$y = r\sin\theta = 8(\frac{3}{4}) = 6$$. To find the x-coordinate, we use the identity $$\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1$$. This gives $$(\frac{3}{4})^2 + \cos^2\theta = 1$$, so $$\cos^2\theta = 1 - \frac{9}{16} = \frac{7}{16}$$. Since $$\theta$$ is in Quadrant II, $$\cos\theta$$ is negative, so $$\cos\theta = -\frac{\sqrt{7}}{4}$$. The x-coordinate is $$x = r\cos\theta = 8(-\frac{\sqrt{7}}{4}) = -2\sqrt{7}$$. The coordinates of P are $$(-2\sqrt{7}, 6)$$.
The terminal ray of an angle $$\theta = \frac{2\pi}{3}$$ intersects the unit circle at a point $$P$$. What are the coordinates of point $$P$$?
$$(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, -\frac{1}{2})$$
$$(-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \frac{1}{2})$$
$$(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2})$$
$$(\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2})$$
Explanation
For a point on the unit circle, the coordinates are given by $$(\cos\theta, \sin\theta)$$. The angle $$\theta = \frac{2\pi}{3}$$ is in Quadrant II, where the x-coordinate (cosine) is negative and the y-coordinate (sine) is positive. The reference angle is $$\frac{\pi}{3}$$. Thus, $$\cos(\frac{2\pi}{3}) = -\cos(\frac{\pi}{3}) = -\frac{1}{2}$$ and $$\sin(\frac{2\pi}{3}) = \sin(\frac{\pi}{3}) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$$. The coordinates of $$P$$ are $$(-\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2})$$.
The terminal ray of an angle $$\theta = -\frac{7\pi}{4}$$ intersects a circle of radius $$r=2\sqrt{2}$$ at point $$P$$. What are the coordinates of $$P$$?
$$(-2, 2)$$
$$(2, -2)$$
$$(2, 2)$$
$$(\sqrt{2}, \sqrt{2})$$
Explanation
The coordinates are given by $$(r\cos\theta, r\sin\theta)$$. The angle $$\theta = -\frac{7\pi}{4}$$ is coterminal with $$\frac{\pi}{4}$$, which is in Quadrant I. Thus, $$\cos(-\frac{7\pi}{4}}) = \cos(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$ and $$\sin(-\frac{7\pi}{4}}) = \sin(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$. The coordinates of $$P$$ are $$(2\sqrt{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, 2\sqrt{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) = (2 \cdot \frac{2}{2}, 2 \cdot \frac{2}{2}) = (2, 2)$$.
The terminal ray of an angle $$\theta$$ intersects a circle of radius $$r = \sqrt{29}$$ at the point $$(-2, 5)$$. What are the values of $$\cos\theta$$ and $$\sin\theta$$?
$$\cos\theta = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{29}}$$ and $$\sin\theta = \frac{5}{\sqrt{29}}$$
$$\cos\theta = -2$$ and $$\sin\theta = 5$$
$$\cos\theta = -\frac{2}{5}$$ and $$\sin\theta = 1$$
$$\cos\theta = \frac{5}{\sqrt{29}}$$ and $$\sin\theta = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{29}}$$
Explanation
The coordinates of a point $$(x,y)$$ on a circle of radius $$r$$ are related to the angle $$\theta$$ by $$x = r\cos\theta$$ and $$y = r\sin\theta$$. We are given the point $$(-2, 5)$$ and radius $$r = \sqrt{29}$$. Therefore, $$\cos\theta = \frac{x}{r} = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{29}}$$ and $$\sin\theta = \frac{y}{r} = \frac{5}{\sqrt{29}}$$. We can verify that the given radius is correct: $$r = \sqrt{(-2)^2 + 5^2} = \sqrt{4+25} = \sqrt{29}$$.
The terminal ray of an angle $$\theta = \frac{5\pi}{4}$$ intersects a circle centered at the origin with radius $$r=6$$. What are the coordinates of the point of intersection?
$$(3\sqrt{2}, -3\sqrt{2})$$
$$(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})$$
$$(-3\sqrt{3}, -3)$$
$$(-3\sqrt{2}, -3\sqrt{2})$$
Explanation
The coordinates are $$(r\cos\theta, r\sin\theta)$$. With $$r=6$$ and $$\theta=\frac{5\pi}{4}$$, the point is in Quadrant III. The reference angle is $$\frac{\pi}{4}$$. Both cosine and sine are negative. $$\cos(\frac{5\pi}{4}) = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$ and $$\sin(\frac{5\pi}{4}) = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$$. The coordinates are $$(6(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}), 6(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2})) = (-3\sqrt{2}, -3\sqrt{2})$$.
A sound wave’s displacement is modeled by $y=\sin(\theta)$, where $\theta$ is the phase angle on the unit circle. At a particular time, the phase is $\theta=90^\circ=\pi/2$, measured counterclockwise from the positive $x$-axis. The unit circle has radius 1, so sine equals the $y$-coordinate. Use an exact value consistent with standard special angles. What is the sine of an angle measuring $\pi/2$ radians on the unit circle?
$1$
$1/2$
$0$
$-1$
Explanation
This question tests AP Precalculus skills: understanding sine and cosine function values in context. Sine values represent the y-coordinate on the unit circle where the angle intersects. In this problem, the angle θ = π/2 (90°) is given for a sound wave model, requiring students to find its sine value. Choice B (1) is correct because at π/2 radians, the point on the unit circle is at (0, 1), making sin(π/2) = 1. Choice A (0) is incorrect as this is the cosine value at π/2, showing confusion between x and y coordinates at this quadrantal angle. Students should memorize the four quadrantal angles (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) and their exact trigonometric values. Visualizing the unit circle helps students see that π/2 points straight up, giving maximum sine value.
An AC circuit has a phase angle $\theta=45^\circ=\pi/4$ between voltage and current, modeled on the unit circle. The cosine of $\theta$ represents the in-phase component magnitude for a 1-unit signal. Angles are measured in radians for computation, but the setup also states degrees. Use standard unit-circle exact values, not rounded approximations. Using the unit circle, what is the cosine value for $\pi/4$?
$\sqrt{2}/2$
$0.707$
$-\sqrt{2}/2$
$\sqrt{3}/2$
Explanation
This question tests AP Precalculus skills: understanding sine and cosine function values in context. Cosine values represent the x-coordinate on the unit circle where the angle intersects. In this problem, the angle θ = π/4 (45°) is given in an AC circuit context, requiring students to find its cosine value. Choice A (√2/2) is correct because at π/4 radians, the point on the unit circle has coordinates (√2/2, √2/2), making cos(π/4) = √2/2. Choice D (0.707) is incorrect as it's a decimal approximation when the problem specifically asks for exact values, showing students must distinguish between exact and approximate forms. Students should memorize that at 45°, both sine and cosine equal √2/2. Using the isosceles right triangle with hypotenuse 1 helps derive this value exactly.
A sound wave model uses $y=\cos(\theta)$, where $\theta$ is a phase angle on the unit circle. At a specific instant, $\theta=180^\circ=\pi$, placing the point on the negative $x$-axis. The cosine equals the $x$-coordinate, so it can be read exactly from the unit circle. Use exact values and standard angle positions within $0\le\theta\le2\pi$. Using the unit circle, what is the cosine value for $\pi$?
$-0$
$0$
$1$
$-1$
Explanation
This question tests AP Precalculus skills: understanding sine and cosine function values in context. Cosine values represent the x-coordinate on the unit circle where the angle intersects. In this problem, the angle θ = π (180°) is given for a sound wave model, requiring students to find its cosine value at this quadrantal angle. Choice C (-1) is correct because at π radians, the point on the unit circle is at (-1, 0), making cos(π) = -1. Choice B (0) is incorrect as this is the sine value at π, showing confusion between x and y coordinates at quadrantal angles. Students should memorize that π radians points directly left on the unit circle, giving the most negative cosine value. Understanding quadrantal angles as multiples of π/2 helps students quickly identify their exact trigonometric values.
An AC generator is analyzed with a phase angle $\theta$ on the unit circle, linking cosine to the real component. The measured value is $\cos\theta=-3/5$, and the phase lies in Quadrant II, consistent with angles like $150^\circ=5\pi/6$. Use $\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1$ to compute sine exactly, then apply the quadrant sign rule. Degrees and radians are both referenced, but the identity is purely algebraic. Find $\sin(\theta)$ given $\cos(\theta)$ and $\theta$ is in quadrant II.
$5/4$
$3/5$
$-4/5$
$4/5$
Explanation
This question tests AP Precalculus skills: understanding sine and cosine function values in context. The Pythagorean identity sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 connects sine and cosine values on the unit circle. In this problem, cos(θ) = -3/5 with θ in Quadrant II, requiring students to find sin(θ) using the identity. Choice A (4/5) is correct because sin²θ = 1 - cos²θ = 1 - (-3/5)² = 1 - 9/25 = 16/25, so sin(θ) = 4/5 (positive in Quadrant II). Choice B (-4/5) is incorrect as it has the wrong sign, forgetting that sine is positive in Quadrant II. Students must carefully apply both the Pythagorean identity and quadrant sign rules. The ASTC mnemonic reminds us that sine is positive in Quadrants I and II.