What does arcsin(cos ((5pi)/6)) equal?

2 Answers
Mar 13, 2016

=-pi/3

Explanation:

"principal value" of the arcsin function means it's between
-pi/2<=theta<=+pi/2

arcsin(cos(5pi/6))=arcsin(cos(pi/2+pi/3))=arcsin(-sin(pi/3))=arcsinsin(-pi/3)=-pi/3

for least positve value
arcsin(cos(5pi/6))=arcsin(cos(pi/2+pi/3))=arcsin(-sin(pi/3))=arcsinsin(pi+pi/3)=4pi/3

Mar 18, 2016

(4pi)/3, (5pi)/3

Explanation:

Trig table gives -->
cos ((5pi)/6) = - sqrt3/2
Find arcsin(-sqrt3/2)
Trig unit circle, and trig table give -->
sin x = -sqrt3/2 -->2 solutions -->
arc x = - pi/3 and arc x = (4pi)/3
Answers: ((4pi)/3) and ((5pi)/3) --> (co-terminal with (-pi/3)