cos 3pi/4 explai me testeps of exact formalr

To evaluate cos(3π/4), we can use the exact formula for cosines of angles in terms of the unit circle or trigonometric identities.

Step 1: Determine the reference angle
The reference angle is the acute angle formed between the terminal side of the angle and the x-axis. In this case, the reference angle is π/4 since the angle 3π/4 falls in the second quadrant and the terminal side is formed in the second quadrant as well.

Step 2: Determine the sign
In the second quadrant, cosine is negative. Therefore, cos(3π/4) is negative.

Step 3: Use the exact formula or trigonometric identity
The exact formula for cosine is cos(θ) = x, where θ is the angle and x is the x-coordinate on the unit circle.
In the second quadrant, the x-coordinate is negative and it can be found using the Pythagorean identity: sin^2(θ) + cos^2(θ) = 1 or cos(θ) = √(1 - sin^2(θ)).

Since the reference angle is π/4, sin(π/4) = √2/2. Therefore, cos(π/4) = √(1 - (√2/2)^2) = √(1 - 2/4) = √(1 - 1/2) = √(1/2) = 1/√2 = √2/2.

Finally, applying the sign from step 2, cos(3π/4) = -√2/2.

Therefore, cos(3π/4) is equal to -√2/2.

or, use the angle sum formula:

cos(3π/4) = cos(π - π/4) = cos(π)cos(π/4) + sin(π)sin(π/4) = (-1)(1/√2) = -1/√2

Apologies for the oversight. Yes, you can also use the angle sum formula to evaluate cos(3π/4).

Using the angle sum formula:
cos(3π/4) = cos(π - π/4) = cos(π)cos(π/4) + sin(π)sin(π/4)

Since cos(π) = -1 and sin(π) = 0, we can substitute these values:

cos(3π/4) = (-1)(cos(π/4)) + (0)(sin(π/4))
= -cos(π/4)
= -1/√2

Therefore, cos(3π/4) = -1/√2.

To calculate cos(3π/4) using the exact formula, follow these steps:

Step 1: Understand the exact formula for cosine:
The exact formula for cosine is cos(θ) = cos(-θ), which means that the cosine of an angle is equal to the cosine of its negative value.

Step 2: Determine the reference angle:
The reference angle is the positive acute angle formed between the terminal side of the angle and the x-axis. In this case, the angle is 3π/4, which falls in the second quadrant. To find the reference angle, subtract π from the original angle: π - 3π/4 = π/4.

Step 3: Identify the quadrant:
Since the reference angle falls in the second quadrant, cosine is negative in this quadrant.

Step 4: Apply the exact formula:
Using the fact that cos(θ) = cos(-θ), we can find that cos(3π/4) = cos(-π/4).

Step 5: Find the cosine value of the reference angle:
The cosine value for the reference angle π/4 is √2/2.

Step 6: Determine the sign:
Since we established in step 3 that cosine is negative in the second quadrant, the final result will be negative.

Step 7: Multiply the cosine value by the sign:
Multiply √2/2 by -1 to account for the negative sign, resulting in -√2/2.

Therefore, cos(3π/4) = -√2/2.