Question

Find cos q if q is an angle in standard position and the point with coordinates (–12, 5) lies on the terminal side of the angle.

Answer 1

here is the point (-12,5)

Answer 2

draw a right triangle like so



the cosine of angle q will be equal to the cosine of the lower angle on the right side in the triangle

so

cos(q) = adjacent/hypotenuse

cos(q) = -12/13

Answer 3

How did you find the degree on the unit circle?

Answer 4

The point* not the degree.

Answer 5

it's not on the unit circle

if it was, then the hypotenuse would have been 1

Answer 6

I'm just using the trig ratios

in this case, cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse

Answer 7

I guess I should have said that the 13 is from the fact that 5^2 + (-12)^2 = 13^2 by the pythagorean theorem

Answer 8

oh so pretty much use the formula a^2+b^2=c^2?

Answer 9

yes to find the missing length of a right triangle

Answer 10

Ohhh okai thank you c:

Answer 11

you're welcome