SOLUTION: let (-3,-5) be a point on the terminal side of θ. find the exact values of cosθ, secθ, and cotθ.

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: let (-3,-5) be a point on the terminal side of θ. find the exact values of cosθ, secθ, and cotθ.      Log On


   

Question 628908: let (-3,-5) be a point on the terminal side of θ. find the exact values of cosθ, secθ, and cotθ.
Answer by jsmallt9(3758) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We often learn about the Trig functions in terms of opposite, adjacent and hypotenuse. We don't always learn about them in terms of coordinates. Here's a translation guide:
opposite = y
adjacent = x
hypotenuse = sqrt%28x%5E2%2By%5E2%29 (Note: this is always positive!)

So
sin%28theta%29+=+opposite%2Fhypotenuse+=+y%2Fsqrt%28x%5E2%2By%5E2%29
cos%28theta%29+=+adjacent%2Fhypotenuse+=+x%2Fsqrt%28x%5E2%2By%5E2%29
tan%28theta%29+=+opposite%2Fadjacent+=+y%2Fx
csc%28theta%29+=+1%2Fsin%28theta%29+=+sqrt%28x%5E2%2By%5E2%29%2Fy
sec%28theta%29+=+1%2Fcos%28theta%29+=+sqrt%28x%5E2%2By%5E2%29%2Fx
cot%28theta%29+=+1%2Ftan%28theta%29+=+x%2Fy

To find the answers to your question, just take your x, -3, and your y, -5, and plug them into the appropriate formulas above. Since cos has a square root in the denominator you will need to rationalize the denominator.