Trigonometric functions are a member of the transcendental function group. Squared trigonometric functions are often used to model analog systems. These functions often first occur in trigonometry or first-year calculus courses. Trigonometric functions are composite functions whose evaluation supersedes the standard order of operations. Evaluating a trigonometric function algebraically also introduces the concept of domain restrictions. Some trigonometric functions are not defined over all real numbers and therefore their solutions must reflect this.
Instructions
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1
Evaluate the trigonometric function and identify any domain restraints. For example, the function tan (3 / x) is not defined when "x" is equal to zero.
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2
Evaluate the trigonometric function at the desired value. For example, for sin^2 (pi / 2) evaluate the function sin (pi / 2).
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3
Square the result of the previous evaluation. Continuing from above, sin^2 (pi / 2) = sin (pi / 2) * sin (pi / 2) = 1 * 1 = 1