Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Half-Angle Formulas
Half-angle formulas are trigonometric identities that express the sine and cosine of half an angle in terms of the sine and cosine of the original angle. For cosine, the formula is cos(θ/2) = ±√((1 + cos(θ))/2). These formulas are essential for simplifying expressions involving angles that are not standard, such as 22.5°, which is half of 45°.
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Trigonometric Values of Special Angles
Certain angles, such as 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°, have known sine and cosine values that are often used in calculations. For example, cos(45°) = √2/2. Knowing these values allows for easier computation when applying half-angle formulas, as they provide the necessary input for finding the cosine of 22.5°.
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Common Trig Functions For 45-45-90 Triangles
Quadrants and Sign of Trigonometric Functions
The sign of trigonometric functions depends on the quadrant in which the angle lies. For angles between 0° and 90°, both sine and cosine are positive. Since 22.5° is in the first quadrant, the cosine value derived from the half-angle formula will also be positive, which is crucial for determining the exact value of cos(22.5°).
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