Example of any angle trigonometry function
Question:
Given: sin a × cos a = -1/4, in which 3pi/2 < a < 2pi. What is the value of sin a - cos a?
Solution:
For any angle trigonometry, the initial side of the angle a is overlap with the positive x-axis. The terminal side of the angle a lies in between 3pi/2 and 2pi which is in Quadrant4. In Quadrant4, sin a < 0 and cos a > 0.
We are given the product of sin a and cos a and we are asking for the difference between sin a and cos a. Now we make the product of sin a and cos a and difference of sin a and cos a.
- (sin a - cos a)2 = sin2a = 2 sin a cos a + cos2a
- = sin2a + cos2a - 2 sin a cos a
- note: sin2a + cos2a = 1
- (sin a - cos a)2 = 1 - 2 sin a cos a
Because in Quadrant4, sin a < 0 and cos a > 0. So, sin a - cos a < 0. The value of sin a - cos a is a negative number. So,
- sin a - cos a = - square root of (1 - 2 sin a cos a)
- = - square root of [1 - 2 × (-1/4)]
- = - square root of [1 + 2 × (1/4)]
- = - square root of [1 + 1/2]
- = - square root of (3/2)
- = - (square root of 3)/(square root of 2)
To remove the square root from the denominator, both numerator and denominator times square root of 2.
- sin a - cos a = - (square root of 6)/2
Therefore, the value of sin a - cos a = - (square root of 6)/2. Watch the video for more details.