Math  /  Trigonometry

Question6 ) In the opposite figure: ABC\triangle \mathrm{ABC} is a right-angled triangle at B , tanθ=34\tan \theta=\frac{3}{4}, then cosα=\cos \alpha= (a) 34\frac{3}{4} (b) 34-\frac{3}{4} (2) 45-\frac{4}{5} (d) 35-\frac{3}{5}

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

1. ABC\triangle \mathrm{ABC} is a right-angled triangle with the right angle at B B .
2. tanθ=34\tan \theta = \frac{3}{4} where θ\theta is at vertex A A .
3. We need to find cosα\cos \alpha where α\alpha is at vertex C C .

STEP 2

1. Understand the relationship between the sides of the triangle using tanθ\tan \theta.
2. Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse.
3. Calculate cosα\cos \alpha.

STEP 3

Given tanθ=34\tan \theta = \frac{3}{4}, this means the opposite side to θ\theta (which is BC BC ) is 3k 3k and the adjacent side (which is AB AB ) is 4k 4k for some constant k k .

STEP 4

Apply the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse AC AC :
AC=(BC)2+(AB)2=(3k)2+(4k)2=9k2+16k2=25k2=5kAC = \sqrt{(BC)^2 + (AB)^2} = \sqrt{(3k)^2 + (4k)^2} = \sqrt{9k^2 + 16k^2} = \sqrt{25k^2} = 5k

STEP 5

To find cosα\cos \alpha, we need the adjacent side to α\alpha (which is AB AB ) and the hypotenuse AC AC :
cosα=ABAC=4k5k=45\cos \alpha = \frac{AB}{AC} = \frac{4k}{5k} = \frac{4}{5}
Since α\alpha is the angle at C C and considering the orientation of the triangle, cosα\cos \alpha should be negative as it is in the second quadrant:
cosα=45\cos \alpha = -\frac{4}{5}
The value of cosα\cos \alpha is:
45\boxed{-\frac{4}{5}}

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