Homework Help: Physics (Calc Based)

Posted by Tom on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 6:10pm.

I understand how to solve this problem ,however cannot figure out why the .5 degrees is being converted to radians:

PROBLEM:

How would one determine the percent uncertainty in theta and in sin of theta for the following:

1) theta = 15.0 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees

SOLUTION:

f(θ) = sin(θ)
f'(θ) = cos(θ)
For θ = 15°
d(cos(θ))
= ącos(θ) dθ
= ącos(15°) (0.5°)
= ą0.9659*(0.5*π/180) <---- Why is .5 degrees converted to radians?
= ą0.00843

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