Question

What is the secant of the angle in standard position in which the terminal side passes through the point (-16, -30)?

Answer 1

I know that the angle is approximately 28°

Answer 2

How did you get 28 degrees?

Here is a plot

Answer 3

the way to do these problems is

1) plot the point
2) make a triangle.
the vertical side of the triangle will have length= y value= -30
the horizontal side of the triangle will have length= x value = -16
3) find the hypotenuse using c^2 = a^2 + b^2.
here c^2= 900+256= 1156, and c= sqr(1156)= 34

4) now use SOH CAH TOA to find the sin, cos or tan as required

5) if you need secant, use secant= 1/cos
and cosecant= 1/sin

Answer 4

thanks!