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Solve each problem. Find \(\cos (\alpha),\) given that \(\sin (\alpha)=0\) and \(\cos (\alpha)<0\).

Short Answer

Expert verified
\cos (180^\backslashcirc) = -1\.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Given Information

The problem states that \(\sin (\alpha)=0\), which gives us a specific set of possible angles. It also indicates that \(\cos (\alpha)<0\), narrowing down the possible solutions further.
02

Identify Angles Where \(\sin (\alpha)=0\)

The sine of an angle is 0 at \(\alpha = 0^\backslashcirc\), \(\alpha = 180^\backslashcirc\), \(\text{or } 360^\backslashcirc\). Given the periodicity of trigonometric functions, these angles can be generalized as \(\alpha = k \pi\), where \(k\) is an integer.
03

Determine Where \(\cos (\alpha)

The cosine of an angle is negative in the second and third quadrants. From the above general angles, \(\0^\backslashcirc\) and \(\360^\backslashcirc\) fall on the x-axis where \(\cos (\alpha)>0\), leaving \(\alpha = 180^\backslashcirc\) as the angle where \(\cos (\alpha)<0\).
04

Calculate \(\cos (\alpha)\) for \(\alpha = 180^\backslashcirc\)

\cos (180^\backslashcirc) = -1\. Thus, the value of \(\cos (\alpha)\) is negative and satisfies the given conditions.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Understanding Sin(α) = 0
In trigonometry, \(\text{sin}(\text{α}) = 0\) is a significant statement. This tells us that the angle α is at a position where the sine value touches zero.
The sine function reflects the y-coordinate of a point on the unit circle. Hence, when sin(α) = 0, the unit circle's point lies on the x-axis.
These specific points are at \(\text{α} = 0^\backslashcirc, 180^\backslashcirc, 360^\backslashcirc\), and their periodic equivalents.
Generally, you can express these angles as \(\text{α} = k \backslashpi\)(π) where k is an integer.
Always remember the periodic nature of trigonometric functions, meaning these values repeat every 360 degrees or 2Ï€ radians.
Cos(α) < 0
Cosine (cos) function represents the x-coordinate of a point on the unit circle.
When \(\text{cos}(\text{α}) < 0\), the angle α is in a position on the unit circle where the x-coordinate is negative.
Cosine is negative in the second and third quadrants of the unit circle.
So, for α to make \(\text{cos}(\text{α}) < 0\), it has to lie in these quadrants.
When considering the angles where sin(α) = 0 as derived earlier, you are left with angles like 180° because it falls in the second quadrant.
180 Degrees and Its Implications
In the context of this problem, \(\text{α} = 180^\backslashcirc\) fits both conditions: \(\text{sin}(\text{α}) = 0\) and \(\text{cos}(\text{α}) < 0\).
At 180°, the sine value is zero because it is on the x-axis.
The cosine value at this point is -1 because the point lies on the negative side of the x-axis.
Therefore, for \(\text{α} = 180^\backslashcirc\), \(\text{cos}(\text{α}) = -1\), confirming \(\text{cos}(\text{α}) < 0\).
This ultimately satisfies the given conditions of both the sine and cosine functions.

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