Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Cosine Function
The cosine function is a fundamental trigonometric function that relates the angle of a right triangle to the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. It is periodic with a period of 360°, meaning it repeats its values every full rotation. Understanding the cosine function is essential for solving equations involving angles, particularly in the context of the unit circle.
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Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions, such as arccosine, are used to find the angle that corresponds to a given trigonometric ratio. For example, if cos θ = x, then θ can be found using θ = arccos(x). These functions are crucial for determining angles from known cosine values, especially when working within specific intervals like [0°, 360°).
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Quadrants and Angle Solutions
The unit circle is divided into four quadrants, each corresponding to different signs of the sine and cosine functions. When solving for angles, it is important to consider which quadrants yield valid solutions based on the cosine value. For cos θ = 0.10452846, the angles will be found in the first quadrant (where cosine is positive) and the fourth quadrant, leading to two distinct solutions within the specified interval.
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