Determine the exact value of cos^-1 (pi/2). Give a number and an explanaton.
ok so I have a graphing calculator, so i was just wanting to make sure that we plug it in as is? or do we have to change it to put it in the calculator. and im not quite sure what type of explanation to give, do we just say what we plug in and stuff?
To determine the exact value of cos^-1 (pi/2) and provide an explanation, let's break it down step by step:
1. Start by understanding the meaning of the expression. cos^-1 represents the inverse cosine function or arccosine function. It gives us the angle whose cosine is equal to the given value.
2. In this case, we are looking for the angle (in radians) whose cosine is equal to pi/2. Since the cosine function ranges from -1 to 1, the value of pi/2 is beyond its valid range, meaning that there is no angle whose cosine is equal to pi/2.
3. Now, if we were to use a graphing calculator, you would typically follow these steps:
a. Press the "cos^-1" or "arccos" button on your graphing calculator.
b. Enter the value pi/2 or write pi/2 as a decimal approximation (approximately 1.5708).
c. Press the "equals" button to compute the result.
4. However, in this case, the calculator will not be able to give you an exact value or a decimal approximation because there is no angle whose cosine is equal to pi/2.
Therefore, the exact value of cos^-1 (pi/2) does not exist.