Menu

Both Answers, Rounded

Part of the Trig Equations and Inverses section of Coddy's Trigonometry journey. Lesson 25 of 56.

sin(x) = 0.2 is not on the table. The calculator gives one answer, arcsin(0.2) = 11.54° to two places. The circle still has two points at that height, so the second is 180° − 11.54°, which is 168.46°.

One turn of the sine wave and the dashed line at height 0.2

The calculator finds the first crossing. The second is its mirror.

On the board, the arcsin chip writes both cases exactly, x = arcsin(0.2) and x = 180° − arcsin(0.2), and you round each one. The calculator's single answer is where students lose the second solution.

challenge icon

Challenge

Solve 4sin(x) = 3 for every x in [0°, 360°), each to two decimal places, and press Check.

Try it yourself

4sin(x) = 3

Solve for x

quiz iconTest yourself

This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Trig Equations and Inverses