Precalculus : Find the decimal value of a trigonometric function

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Precalculus

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Find The Decimal Value Of A Trigonometric Function

Find the value of  to the nearest tenth if  and .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Rewrite  in terms of sine and cosine.

Substitute the known values and evaluate.

The answer to the nearest tenth is .

Example Question #1 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Determine the value of  in decimal form.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Ensure the calculator is in radian mode since the expression shows the angle in terms of .  Also convert cotangent to tangent.

Example Question #2 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Find the decimal value of 

 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To determine the decimal value of the following trig function, , make sure that the calculator is in radian mode.

Compute the expression.

 

Example Question #2 : Find The Decimal Value Of A Trigonometric Function

Determine the correct value of 

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The question  asks for the y-coordinate on the unit circle when the degree angle is .  

Be careful not to confuse finding the value of the angle when the y-value of the coordinate of the unit circle is .

Ensure that the calculator is in degree mode.

Example Question #3 : Evaluating Trig Functions

Find the value of 

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Before beginning this problem on a calculator, though this is not necessary since these are special angles, ensure that the mode of the calculator is in degrees.

Input the values of the expression and solve.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors