Sec(x)
Sec(x) is the reciprocal of the cosine function
Sec(x) is the reciprocal of the cosine function. It is defined as:
sec(x) = 1 / cos(x)
In simpler terms, the secant of an angle x is equal to the length of the hypotenuse divided by the length of the adjacent side in a right triangle.
To calculate sec(x), you first need to figure out the value of cosine of x, and then find its reciprocal.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find the value of sec(x):
1. Determine the value of cosine of x. This can be done by using a calculator or looking up the values in a trigonometric table, depending on the given angle.
2. Once you have the value of cosine of x, take its reciprocal by dividing 1 by the cosine value. For example, if cos(x) = 0.6, then sec(x) = 1 / 0.6 = 1.67.
It is important to note that the secant function is periodic with a period of 2π, meaning it repeats its values every 2π radians or 360 degrees. Also, sec(x) is undefined when cos(x) = 0, as division by zero is not possible in mathematics. So, values of x where cos(x) = 0 are not in the domain of sec(x).
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