Evaluating Trig Functions and Applications
Evaluating trigonometric functions at special angles like 60°, 4π/3, or 810° requires knowing your unit circle values and understanding how negative angles and coterminal angles work. Remember that some trig functions are undefined at certain angles, like csc(-7π) and cot(-180°).
Trigonometry helps solve real-world problems involving circular motion and heights. For a clock with a 16-inch radius, you can find the arc length using s = rθ, where θ must be in radians convert145°to29π/36radians. This gives you approximately 40.49 inches.
Remember: Always convert degrees to radians when using the arc length formula s = rθ by multiplying by π/180°.
The angle of elevation problems show practical applications of trigonometry. When a bug 3 meters from a tree looks up at an angle of 38.9°, you can find the tree's height using tan(38.9°) = x/3, giving 2.42 meters. Similarly, you can find angles when distances are known, as with the flagpole example where tan x = 5.5/22.