Chapter 14: Problem 12
Find the exact value of each expression. \(\cos 105^{\circ}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\cos 105^{\circ} = \frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}}{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Express 105° as a Sum
We can express the angle 105° as a sum of two known angles whose trigonometric values we can easily find. Specifically, consider 105° as the sum of 60° and 45°, i.e., \(105° = 60° + 45°\).
02
Apply the Cosine Addition Formula
The cosine addition formula is \(\cos(a + b) = \cos(a)\cos(b) - \sin(a)\sin(b)\). Apply this formula using \(a = 60°\) and \(b = 45°\).
03
Substitute Known Values
Substitute the known trigonometric values into the addition formula:\(\cos(60°) = \frac{1}{2}\), \(\sin(60°) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\), \(\cos(45°) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\), \(\sin(45°) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\). The expression becomes \(\cos(105°) = \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right) - \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\left(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\right)\).
04
Perform Arithmetic Operations
Calculate each part of the expression: \(\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\) and \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \times \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{6}}{4}\). So we have \(\cos(105°) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{6}}{4}\).
05
Simplify the Expression
Combine the terms: \(\cos(105°) = \frac{\sqrt{2} - \sqrt{6}}{4}\). This is the exact value of the cosine of 105°.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Angles as a Sum
When solving trigonometric problems, breaking down angles into sums of angles with known trigonometric values is often very helpful. For the angle 105°, you can express it as the sum of 60° and 45°. This approach utilizes angles that are commonly found on the unit circle or in trigonometric tables.
- This simplification allows the use of fundamental trigonometric formulas.
- Angles like 60° and 45° have easily memorizable cosine and sine values, which can be used efficiently.
Trigonometric Values
Trigonometric values of certain angles, such as 45° and 60°, are fundamental in solving problems involving sums of angles. These values can often be determined using basic trigonometric principles.
- For 60°, the cosine value is \(\cos(60°) = \frac{1}{2}\), and the sine value is \(\sin(60°) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\).
- For 45°, both cosine and sine share the value \(\cos(45°) = \sin(45°) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\).
Arithmetic Operations
Arithmetic operations play a crucial role once you substitute the known trigonometric values into an expression. After applying the cosine addition formula, you'll perform multiplication and subtraction.
- First, multiply the trigonometric values: \(\frac{1}{2} \times \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}\) and \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \times \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \frac{\sqrt{6}}{4}\).
- Next, subtract the results: \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{6}}{4}\).