Question

Hi! Find the exact value of the expression... in the comments.

Answer 1

\[\sin^{-1} -1/2\]

Answer 2

I need steps on how to solve it, thank you :)

Answer 3

inverse sin returns an angle, call it x.

\[ \sin^{-1}\left( -\frac{1}{2}\right) = x \]
if we take the sin of both sides, the sin of inverse sin "cancel out"
\[ -\frac{1}{2} = \sin(x) \]
so another way to think of this is, what angle is it whose sin = -½

You should have memorized a few special angles along with their sin, cos and tan

you should know 0º, 30º, 45º, 60º, 90º

Answer 4

see http://www.analyzemath.com/trigonometry/special_angles.html

Answer 5

so sin of theta =-1/2. I understand that part, but then what do i do?

Answer 6

you peer into your memory and pull out what angle's sin = ½
i.e. 30º
then you figure out what quadrants give a -½