Suppose α is an angle in standard position whose terminal side lies in Quadrant III. If tan α = 2 3 , find the value of sin α?

2 Answers
May 11, 2018

sin(alpha) = -0.999

Explanation:

tan alpha = 23 ; alpha = 87.5^o +n(180)

Standard position means one side is along the x-axis, with vertex at the origin.
Terminal side in Quadrant III is 180 <= alpha <= 270

alpha = 87.5^o +(180) = 267.5^0

sin(267.5) = -0.999

https://mathbitsnotebook.com/Algebra2/TrigConcepts/TCStandardPosition.html

May 11, 2018

sin a = - 23/sqrt530

Explanation:

tan a = 23 --> cot a = 1/23
sin^2 a = 1/(1 + cot^2 a) = 1/(1 + 1/529) = 529/530
sin a = +- 23/sqrt530
Since a in in Quadrant 3, sin a is negative
sin a = - 23/23.05 = - 0.999