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? asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 1 decade ago

evaluate cos of 5pi/6?

without using calculator

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    A full circle has 360 degrees.

    A full circle has 2pi radians.

    Hence, 2pi radians = 360 degrees

    So pi radians = 180 degrees

    And (5/6)pi radians = (5/6)*180 degrees, or 150 degrees.

    Remember the side length ratios of a 30-60-90 triangle? They're 1-(1/2)-(sqrt(3)/2).

    Visualizing where the 150 degree (or 5/6 pi) triangle falls in the unit circle, it should be clear that the cosine of the angle is of length sqrt(3)/2, and has a negative sign.

    The answer is thus -sqrt(3)/2.

    Hope that helps!

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