Problem 90 - Algebra and Trigonometry Real Mathematics, Real People

Question

Find (if possible) the complement and supplement of the angle. $$\frac{\pi}{6}$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The complement of the angle \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) is \(\frac{\pi}{3}\) and the supplement of the angle \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) is \(\frac{5\pi}{6}\).

Step 1: Calculate the Complementary Angle

The complementary angle is calculated as \(C=\frac{\pi}{2} - \text{{angle}}\). Substituting \(\text{{angle}}\) with \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) we get: \(C=\frac{\pi}{2}-\frac{\pi}{6}=\frac{3\pi}{6}-\frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{2\pi}{6}\) which can be simplified to \(C=\frac{\pi}{3}\).

Step 2: Calculate the Supplementary Angle

The supplementary angle is calculated as \(S=\pi - \text{{angle}}\). Substituting \(\text{{angle}}\) with \(\frac{\pi}{6}\), we get: \(S=\pi - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{6\pi}{6}-\frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{5\pi}{6}\). So the supplementary angle is \(\frac{5\pi}{6}\).

Key Concepts

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that explores the properties and applications of triangles, particularly the study of the relationships between the angles and the lengths of the sides of a triangle. In dealing with right-angled triangles, two specific terms are commonly used: complementary angles and supplementary angles.

A complementary angle is one that, when added to another angle, results in a right angle, which is exactly 90 degrees or \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) radians. For instance, if you have an angle that measures 30 degrees (or \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) radians), its complement would add to 60 degrees (or \(\frac{\pi}{3}\) radians), summing up to 90 degrees.

Radians

Radians are a unit of angle measurement in trigonometry that offer an alternative to degrees. Radians are based on the radius of a circle. One radian is the angle made at the center of a circle by an arc whose length is equal to the radius of the circle. The entire circumference of a circle corresponds to an angle of \(2\pi\) radians. This means that 180 degrees is equal to \(\pi\) radians, and consequently, 90 degrees is \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) radians. This is why the complement of \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) is calculated using \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) as the benchmark for a right angle in the radian measurement system.

Geometry

Geometry is the field of mathematics that deals with shapes, sizes, and the relative position of figures, as well as the properties of space. When studying angles in geometry, understanding how they relate to each other is crucial. Angles that share a meaningful relationship—like complementary and supplementary angles—often reflect the symmetry and balance in geometric figures.

In geometric terms, when two angles are complementary, such as the example provided where the pair includes \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) and \(\frac{\pi}{3}\), they could be adjacent angles forming a right triangle. This visual representation assists in comprehending how angles function within shapes and why their sums must conform to specific values, such as 90 degrees for complementary angles.

Angle Measurement

Angle measurement is a fundamental concept in both geometry and trigonometry. It concerns the determination of the size of an angle in terms of degrees, radians, or sometimes other units like gradians. Angles are measured starting from a baseline or reference line, and the measurement reflects the amount of rotation from this baseline to the line that constitutes the other side of the angle.

For example, in the exercise provided, we measure the complement and supplementary angles from the reference of \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) radians and \(\pi\) radians, respectively. These measurements help in understanding the positioning and relationships of angles within a larger geometrical framework, which is essential not only for solving mathematical problems but also for practical applications in fields like engineering and physics.