Cogito
Trigonometry · Chapter 6 · Lesson 2
Half Angle Formulas
Run the double angle formula backwards.
12 problems · about 21 minutes · F-TF.C.9
Figure — use these to answer the problems
Warm Up
Straightforward practice. Get the method working first.
5 problemscos A = 0.6. What is sin²(A/2)?
AnswerWhich angle decides the sign of sin(A/2)?
- The half angle, A/2.
- The original angle, A.
cos A = 0. What is sin²(A/2)?
Answercos A = 0.8. What is sin²(A/2)?
Answercos A = 0.8. What is cos²(A/2)?
Answer
Build It Up
The same ideas with more to keep track of.
3 problemssin²(A/2) = 0.1 and cos²(A/2) = 0.9. What do they total?
Answercos A = −1. What is sin²(A/2)?
AnswerA = 90°. What is cos²(A/2), given cos 90° = 0?
Answer
Stretch Yourself
Mixed problems. Work out what kind of question it is before you start.
4 problemsPut the derivation of the half angle formula in order.
Write 1 to 4 in the boxes to put these in order.
- Begin with cos 2θ = 1 − 2sin²θ.
- Rearrange to sin²θ = (1 − cos 2θ) ÷ 2.
- Write A in place of 2θ, so θ becomes A ÷ 2.
- Take the square root and choose the sign from the quadrant.
cos A = 0.5, and A/2 lies in quadrant I. What is sin(A/2)?
AnswerThe Half
cos A = 0.5. What is sin²(A/2)?
AnswerThe Sign
A = 300°, so A/2 = 150°. Is sin(A/2) positive or negative?
- Positive, because 150° is in quadrant II.
- Negative, because 300° is in quadrant IV.