Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Identities
Trigonometric identities are equations that involve trigonometric functions and are true for all values of the variables involved. The identity for the cosine of a sum, cos(α + β) = cos(α)cos(β) - sin(α)sin(β), is particularly important for solving problems involving the addition of angles. Understanding these identities allows for the simplification and calculation of trigonometric expressions.
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Quadrants and Angle Properties
The unit circle is divided into four quadrants, each with specific properties regarding the signs of trigonometric functions. In quadrant II, sine is positive while cosine and tangent are negative, whereas in quadrant I, all trigonometric functions are positive. Knowing the quadrant in which an angle lies helps determine the signs of the sine and cosine values needed for calculations.
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Finding Trigonometric Values from Tangent and Cosine
To find the exact values of sine and cosine from given tangent and cosine values, one can use the Pythagorean identity, sin²(θ) + cos²(θ) = 1. For example, if tan(α) is given, one can derive sin(α) and cos(α) using the relationship between sine, cosine, and tangent. This is essential for calculating the components needed to apply the cosine of a sum identity.
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