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

5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations

Inverse Sine, Cosine, & Tangent

Trigonometry

5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations

Inverse Sine, Cosine, & Tangent

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Problem 6.63

Textbook Question

Use a calculator to approximate each real number value. (Be sure the calculator is in radian mode.)
y = arctan 1.1111111

Verified step by step guidance

Ensure your calculator is set to radian mode. This is crucial because the problem specifies that the angle should be in radians.

Identify the function you need to use: in this case, it's the inverse tangent function, often labeled as 'arctan' or 'tan^(-1)' on calculators.

Enter the value 1.1111111 into the calculator. This is the argument for the arctan function.

Press the arctan or tan^(-1) button on your calculator to compute the angle whose tangent is 1.1111111.

The calculator will display the angle in radians, which is the approximate value of y.

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Key Concepts

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

Inverse Trigonometric Functions

Inverse trigonometric functions, such as arctan, are used to find the angle whose tangent is a given number. For example, if y = arctan(x), then tan(y) = x. These functions are essential for solving problems where the angle is unknown but the ratio of the sides of a right triangle is known.

Radian Measure

Radian measure is a way of measuring angles based on the radius of a circle. One radian is the angle formed when the arc length is equal to the radius. Calculators often have modes for degrees and radians, and it's crucial to ensure the correct mode is selected when performing trigonometric calculations to obtain accurate results.

Calculator Functions

Using a calculator effectively involves understanding its functions, including how to input trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions. When calculating values like y = arctan(1.1111111), it's important to ensure the calculator is set to the correct mode (radians) to get the right output, as the results will differ significantly between radian and degree modes.