SOLUTION: derive the cosine and sine functional values for t = pie/3

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Question 895978: derive the cosine and sine functional values for t = pie/3
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, Theo:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Using this unit circle



(Image Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Unit_circle_angles_color.svg )

we see that at the angle pi%2F3 we have the point (look at the 60 degree angle)

The x coordinate of this point is equal to cos%28pi%2F3%29

So, cos%28pi%2F3%29=1%2F2


The y coordinate of this point is equal to sin%28pi%2F3%29

So, sin%28pi%2F3%29=sqrt%283%29%2F2

Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
pi/3 radians multiplied by 180 / pi is equal to 60 degrees.

sine (60 degrees) is equal to sqrt(3)/2.

cosine (60 degrees) is equal to 1/2.

this is one of the common triangles whose trigonometric values you should know by heart.

translate back to radians and you get 60 degrees * pi / 180 = pi/3 radians.

you end up with:

sine (pi/3) is equal to sqrt(3)/2.

cosine (pi/3) is equal to 1/2.

the translation from radians to degrees is:

degrees = radians * 180 / pi.

the translation from degrees to radians is:

radians = degrees * pi / 180.