Problem 28 - Precalculus : Building Concepts and Connections

Question

Find the exact value of each trigonometric function. $$\sin 45^{\circ}$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The exact value of \(\sin 45^{\circ}\) is \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\).

Step 1 Identify degrees

Recognize that the function is \(\sin 45^{\circ}\). This is a commonly recognized angle in trigonometry.

Step 2 Reference trigonometric table

Refer to the trigonometric table or the unit circle, where the standard values for sine, cosine, and tangent are listed for commonly used angles.

Step 3 Find the exact value

Identify that the exact value for \(\sin 45^{\circ}\) is \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\). This is because in a 45-45-90 triangle, the lengths of the sides relative to the shortest side are 1, 1, and \(\sqrt{2}\). The sine of an angle in such a triangle would be opposite/hypotenuse, hence \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\) or \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\).

Key Concepts

Understanding the Sine Function

The sine function is among the most fundamental concepts in trigonometry, helping us understand the relation between angles and the sides of a triangle. It's specifically defined for right-angled triangles, with the sine of an angle being the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle).

In mathematical terms, if we have a right-angled triangle with an angle \( \theta \), the sine function is expressed as \( \sin(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite side}}{\text{hypotenuse}} \). With this definition in hand, the sine function allows us to solve various problems, relating angles to the proportions of a triangle's sides.

The Unit Circle: A Trigonometric Map

The unit circle is a pivotal tool in understanding trigonometric functions. It's a circle with a radius of 1 unit centered at the origin of a Cartesian coordinate system. Each point on the circumference of the unit circle corresponds to an angle originated from the circle's center, measured in either degrees or radians.

The x-coordinate of a point on the circle represents the cosine of the angle, while the y-coordinate represents the sine. Therefore, the unit circle provides a visual for all of the trigonometric functions. For our case, the \( \sin 45^\circ \) lies at a point where both the x and y coordinates are the same, leading to the well-known value of \( \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \), which is found at the intersection of the line making a 45-degree angle with the x-axis and the unit circle's circumference.

Navigating the 45-45-90 Triangle

The 45-45-90 triangle is a special type of right triangle characterized by its angle measurements: two of its angles are 45 degrees, and the remaining one is 90 degrees. Due to the equal angles, the lengths of the two legs are equal, and the hypotenuse's length is determined by the Pythagorean Theorem.

For a triangle with legs of length 1 (the sides opposite the 45-degree angles), the hypotenuse is \( \sqrt{2} \), following the ratio 1:1:\( \sqrt{2} \). So, applying the sine function to this triangle, we find that \( \sin 45^\circ = \frac{\text{opposite side (1)}}{\text{hypotenuse (}\sqrt{2}\text{)}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\), which simplifies to \(\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\). This value facilitates quick calculations for trigonometric problems involving these common angles.