Table of contents

0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
1. Measuring Angles40m
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
3. Unit Circle1h 19m
4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
8. Vectors2h 25m
9. Polar Equations2h 5m
10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m

2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles

Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles

Trigonometry

2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles

Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles

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0:56 minutes

Problem 54

Textbook Question

Determine whether each statement is possible or impossible. See Example 4. sin θ = 3

Verified step by step guidance

Recall that the sine function, \( \sin \theta \), represents the ratio of the opposite side to the hypotenuse in a right triangle.

The range of the sine function is between -1 and 1, inclusive. This means \( -1 \leq \sin \theta \leq 1 \).

Given the statement \( \sin \theta = 3 \), observe that 3 is outside the range of possible values for the sine function.

Since 3 is greater than 1, it is impossible for \( \sin \theta \) to equal 3.

Conclude that the statement \( \sin \theta = 3 \) is impossible based on the range of the sine function.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Range of the Sine Function

The sine function, denoted as sin(θ), has a range of values between -1 and 1 for all real angles θ. This means that the output of the sine function cannot exceed these bounds. Therefore, any statement claiming that sin(θ) equals a value outside this range, such as 3, is impossible.

Trigonometric Identities

Trigonometric identities are equations involving trigonometric functions that hold true for all values of the variables involved. Understanding these identities helps in manipulating and solving trigonometric equations. In this case, recognizing that sin(θ) cannot equal 3 is a fundamental aspect of using these identities effectively.

Understanding Angles and Their Functions

In trigonometry, angles can be measured in degrees or radians, and each angle corresponds to a specific value of sine, cosine, and tangent. Knowing how these functions behave for different angles is crucial. Since sin(θ) is defined for all angles but constrained to the range of -1 to 1, it is essential to understand that certain values are unattainable.