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What does sinx equal?

Published in Trigonometry 2 mins read

Sinx represents the sine of an angle x in trigonometry. It is a fundamental trigonometric function that relates the angle of a right triangle to the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse.

Understanding the Concept

  • Right Triangle: A right triangle has one angle that measures 90 degrees.
  • Hypotenuse: The side opposite the right angle in a right triangle.
  • Opposite Side: The side opposite the angle x.

Sinx = Opposite Side / Hypotenuse

Examples

  • sin(30°) = 1/2: In a 30-60-90 right triangle, the side opposite the 30-degree angle is half the length of the hypotenuse.
  • sin(45°) = √2/2: In a 45-45-90 right triangle, the side opposite the 45-degree angle is equal to the length of the other leg, and the hypotenuse is √2 times the length of a leg.

Practical Insights

  • Unit Circle: The sine function can be represented on a unit circle, where the angle x is measured from the positive x-axis, and the sine value is the y-coordinate of the point where the angle intersects the circle.
  • Graphs: The sine function has a periodic graph that oscillates between -1 and 1.
  • Applications: The sine function has many applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, and music.

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