Trigonometry (10th Edition)

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

Chapter 6 - Quiz (Sections 6.1-6.3) - Page 276: 3b

Answer

$$\theta\approx-42.6^\circ$$

Work Step by Step

$$\theta=\cot^{-1}(-1.0886767)$$ Most calculators do not contain inverse function for cotangent, so we need to change it to another function available on the calculator. $\theta=\cot^{-1}(-1.0886767)$ means that $\cot\theta=-1.0886767$ Now recall and apply the identity: $$\tan\theta=\frac{1}{\cot\theta}=\frac{1}{-1.0886767}\approx-0.9185463$$ Therefore, $$\theta=\tan^{-1}(-0.9185463)$$ Now we can use the calculator to calculate for $\theta$. However, as the question asks for the value in decimal degrees, do not forget to switch the calculator to the DEG environment. Using calculator, I get $$\theta\approx-42.6^\circ$$
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