Maths Olympiad Prep

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Algebra Difficulty 3.2 AMC 10/12 Find the answer

Given that tanθ=2\tan{\theta} = 2 and θ\theta is an angle in the third quadrant, find the value of sin(π2θ)\sin({\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta}).

A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.

Solution

Since tanθ=2\tan{\theta} = 2 and θ\theta is in the third quadrant, we have:

sinθ=2cosθ\sin{\theta} = 2\cos{\theta}

Recall the Pythagorean trigonometric identity:

sin2θ+cos2θ=1\sin^2{\theta} + \cos^2{\theta} = 1

Substitute sinθ\sin{\theta} with 2cosθ2\cos{\theta}:

(2cosθ)2+cos2θ=1(2\cos{\theta})^2 + \cos^2{\theta} = 1

Expand and simplify:

4cos2θ+cos2θ=14\cos^2{\theta} + \cos^2{\theta} = 1

5cos2θ=15\cos^2{\theta} = 1

cos2θ=15\cos^2{\theta} = \frac{1}{5}

Since θ\theta is in the third quadrant, cosθ\cos{\theta} is negative:

cosθ=15=55\cos{\theta} = -\sqrt{\frac{1}{5}} = -\frac{\sqrt{5}}{5}

Recall the cofunction identity:

sin(π2θ)=cosθ\sin({\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta}) = \cos{\theta}

Therefore:

sin(π2θ)=55\sin({\frac{\pi}{2} - \theta}) = -\frac{\sqrt{5}}{5}

\boxed{-\frac{\sqrt{5}}{5}}

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Source: NuminaMath-1.5, licensed Apache-2.0. Statement and solution reproduced as published; topic and difficulty added by this site.