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Ch. 5 - Trigonometric Identities
Lial - Trigonometry 12th Edition
Lial12th EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780136552161Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 5.RE.32b

Use the given information to cos(x - y).
cos x = 2/9, sin y = -1/2, x in quadrant IV, y in quadrant III

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Identify the given information: \(\cos x = \frac{2}{9}\), \(\sin y = -\frac{1}{2}\), with \(x\) in quadrant IV and \(y\) in quadrant III.
Find \(\sin x\) using the Pythagorean identity \(\sin^2 x + \cos^2 x = 1\). Since \(x\) is in quadrant IV, where sine is negative, calculate \(\sin x = -\sqrt{1 - \left(\frac{2}{9}\right)^2}\).
Find \(\cos y\) using the Pythagorean identity \(\sin^2 y + \cos^2 y = 1\). Since \(y\) is in quadrant III, where cosine is negative, calculate \(\cos y = -\sqrt{1 - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2}\).
Use the cosine difference formula: \(\cos(x - y) = \cos x \cos y + \sin x \sin y\).
Substitute the values of \(\cos x\), \(\cos y\), \(\sin x\), and \(\sin y\) into the formula and simplify the expression to find \(\cos(x - y)\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

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