SOLUTION: How do I evaluate these this two sine and cosine problems. Difficult!? Evaluate cos(a &#8722; b) if cos a = 4/5 tan a < 0, tan b = &#8722;&#8730;15 and cos b < 0 cos(a-b) =

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: How do I evaluate these this two sine and cosine problems. Difficult!? Evaluate cos(a &#8722; b) if cos a = 4/5 tan a < 0, tan b = &#8722;&#8730;15 and cos b < 0 cos(a-b) =       Log On


   



Question 925472: How do I evaluate these this two sine and cosine problems. Difficult!?
Evaluate cos(a − b) if cos a = 4/5 tan a < 0, tan b = −√15 and cos b < 0
cos(a-b) =
and
Evaluate sin(x + y) if sin x = 3/5 sec x > 0, cos y = − (2√5)/5 and tan y < 0.
sin(x + y) =

THANKS!

Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Not too difficult - use cosine addition/subtraction formulas:

cos(a-b) = cos a cos b - sin a sin b

You know cos a and the sign of tan a, so you have enough information to find sin a (hint: sin^2 a + cos^2 a = 1). You know tan b and the sign of cos b, which is enough to determine sin b and cos b (hint: also use sin^2 b + cos^2 b = 1).

The second problem is similar, except you will be using the identity sin(x+y) = sin x cos y + sin y cos x.