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 #1
avatar+5 
+1

Let's break down the expression: cos ⁡ − 1 ( − 3 / 2 ) cos −1 (− 3 ​ /2): This is the inverse cosine of − 3 / 2 − 3 ​ /2, which corresponds to an angle of −  / 3 −π/3 radians. sin ⁡ ( cos ⁡ − 1 ( − 3 / 2 ) ) sin(cos −1 (− 3 ​ /2)): This is the sine of the angle −  / 3 −π/3, which is − 3 / 2 − 3 ​ /2. tan ⁡ − 1 ( sin ⁡ ( −  / 2 ) ) tan −1 (sin(−π/2)): This is the inverse tangent of sin ⁡ ( −  / 2 ) Cat Needs Best on sin(−π/2), which is undefined. Now, let's substitute these values into the original expression: Expression = ( − 3 / 2 ) + undefined Expression=(− 3 ​ /2)+undefined Since the second term is undefined, the entire expression is undefined. Therefore, none of the given options (A, B, C, D) matches the value of the expression. It's possible there might be a mistake in the given expression or options.

Mar 7, 2024
Mar 6, 2024
 #1
avatar+410 
+3

This formula 

\(\cos(x)=\frac{a\cdot b}{||a||\,||b||}\). Just to clarify, The \(\cdot\) between the a and b is not a multiplication sign, it is a dot product.

This formula is very useful for calculating the angle between 2 vectors.

To prove: draw a vector, connecting vector  \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\), remembering vector subtraction, this vector is \(\vec{a-b}\).

We see a cosine, so we hope to use the law of cosines to help us relate side lengths. However, we don't know the side lengths of these vectors. However, we have a very important symbol called the norm, \(||~||\), and this the distance to the endpoint to the origin. Remember, vectors aren't defined with position, so norm gives an effective way to represent length. Here is a graph:

Set \(\theta = \angle AOB\)

Therefore by the law of cosines, we have:

\(\cos(\theta) = \frac{{||a||}^{2}+{||b||}^{2}-{||a-b||}^{2}}{2||a||\,||b||}\).

To relate norm to dot product, we have another very important formula:

\(v\cdot v ={||v||}^{2}\). (dot product again). PS, notice the resemblance to the formula \(z*\overline{z}={|z|}^{2}\), for complex number z.

Using this formula, 

\(\cos(\theta) = \frac{a\cdot a+b\cdot b-(a-b)\cdot(a-b)}{2||a||\,||b||}\).

Dot products have a special property, because they are commutative, and distributive.

Therefore, \(\cos(\theta) = \frac{a\cdot a+b\cdot b-(a\cdot a- 2a\cdot b + b\cdot b)}{2||a||\,||b||}\)

Simplifying:

\(\cos(\theta) = \frac{2a \cdot b}{2||a|| \, ||b||}=\frac{a\cdot b}{||a||\,||b||}\).

This gives our desired formula.

Mar 6, 2024

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