SOLUTION: Use your calculator to find arcsin (sin (150 degrees) ). Why didn’t the calculator say 150 degrees?

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: Use your calculator to find arcsin (sin (150 degrees) ). Why didn’t the calculator say 150 degrees?      Log On


   



Question 1141918: Use your calculator to find arcsin (sin (150 degrees) ). Why didn’t the calculator say 150 degrees?
Answer by ikleyn(52803) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

sin(150°) = 1%2F2 = sin(30°).


arcsin(x) is always between  -pi%2F2 and  pi%2F2  (BY THE DEFINITION).


Therefore,  arcsin(sin(150°) ) = arcsin%281%2F2%29 = 30°.


The calculator is SO SMART that it knows it (the calculator is programmed in this way !), so it knows the correct answer.