Trigonometry (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321671775
ISBN 13: 978-0-32167-177-6

Chapter 5 - Trigonometric Identities - Section 5.6 Half-Angle Identities - 5.6 Exercises - Page 236: 36

Answer

$$\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos165^\circ}{1-\cos165^\circ}}=\cot82.5^\circ$$

Work Step by Step

$$X=\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos165^\circ}{1-\cos165^\circ}}$$ Recall the half-angle identity for tangent, which states $$\pm\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos A}{1+\cos A}}=\tan\frac{A}{2}$$ Apply the identity for $A=165^\circ$: $$\pm\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos165^\circ}{1+\cos165^\circ}}=\tan\frac{165^\circ}{2}$$ $$\pm\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos165^\circ}{1+\cos165^\circ}}=\tan82.5^\circ$$ Angle $82.5^\circ$ is in quadrant I, where tangent is positive. Therefore, $\tan82.5^\circ\gt0$, and we need to pick the positive square root. $$\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos165^\circ}{1+\cos165^\circ}}=\tan82.5^\circ$$ However, the sign of $X$ is still different from the equation just found, so we need to rewrite a little bit. $$\frac{\sqrt{1-\cos165^\circ}}{\sqrt{1+\cos165^\circ}}=\tan82.5^\circ$$ Thus, $$\frac{\sqrt{1+\cos165^\circ}}{\sqrt{1-\cos165^\circ}}=\frac{1}{\tan82.5^\circ}$$ $$\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos165^\circ}{1-\cos165^\circ}}=\frac{1}{\tan82.5^\circ}$$ $$X=\frac{1}{\tan82.5^\circ}$$ However, as $\frac{1}{\tan\theta}=\cot\theta$, $$X=\cot82.5^\circ$$ Therefore, $$\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos165^\circ}{1-\cos165^\circ}}=\cot82.5^\circ$$ This is the single trigonometric function we need to find.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.