Evaluate cos(60 degrees )

Problem

cos(60)

Solution

1. Identify the angle in the context of the unit circle or a special right triangle.

2. Recall the properties of a 30−60−90 triangle, where the side adjacent to the 60 angle is half the length of the hypotenuse.

3. Apply the definition of the cosine function, which is the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.

4. Determine the value based on the unit circle coordinates (x,y)=(cos(θ),sin(θ)) where at 60 the xcoordinate is 1/2

Final Answer

cos(60)=1/2

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