Find the Exact Value arccos(1/2)

Problem

arccos(1/2)

Solution

1. Identify the definition of the inverse cosine function, where y=arccos(x) means cos(y)=x for 0≤y≤π

2. Set up the equation to find the angle y such that cos(y)=1/2

3. Recall the unit circle values or special right triangles where the cosine of an angle equals 1/2

4. Determine that in the interval [0,π] the cosine of π/3 (or 60 is 1/2

Final Answer

arccos(1/2)=π/3

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