SOLUTION: Find cos<font face ="symbol">q</font> = -.2361 when i put it into my calculator, it won't do it.

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: Find cos<font face ="symbol">q</font> = -.2361 when i put it into my calculator, it won't do it.      Log On


   



Question 414801: Find cosq = -.2361
when i put it into my calculator, it won't do it.

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20065) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

You probably were asked to solve this:

cosq = -.2361

So you have to find the calculator key that reads cos-1
You will likely have to press the "2nd" key first.


That really doesn't have anything to do with -1, "negative one".

It means 

"What angle between 0° and 180° has a cosine of -.2361?", if it 
wants the angle in degrees.

or it means:

"What angle between 0 and p has a cosine of -.2361?"
if it
wants the angle in radians

The answer in degrees is 103.6564729°

The answer in radians is 1.809146743 radians.

Edwin