Question

Trigonometry Question:
What is the initial side and terminal side of any given angle of theta?

Answer 1

@ganeshie8 @Mertsj

Answer 2

Have you checked your textbook, or done an Internet search for "terminal side of an angle," for ideas?

Answer 3

That's a very helpful explanation. I'm not sure I can improve on it!!

I was going to say that it's common to position the "initial side" of an angle on the positive x axis (angle = 0) and then measure the angle COUNTERCLOCKWISE from that.

Your Internet source is more general in that it doesn't require that the initial side coincide with the positive x axis.

Answer 4

I don't get the part where it says that it is formed by the rotating side of OA about the vertex of OB.

Answer 5

Is it that the angle of theta is moving counterclockwise as you have mentioned?

Answer 6

Yes, that's right. For a given positive angle, draw an initial line at O (which could be your origin). Pretend you have a compass. Put the sharp point of the compass at 0. Turn the compass COUNTER CLOCKWISE, with 0 being the point of rotation. Once you've established that angle, draw the terminal side of your angle, beginning at point O.

Answer 7

The terminal side is the other side of the initial angle right?