Compare without a calculator: $a=cos20^o$, $b=sin20^o$, $c=tan20^0$












0












$begingroup$



$a=cos20^o$



$b=sin20^o$



$c=tan20^o$



Compare $a,b$ and $c$




I could figure out that $a=cos20^o=sin70^o$, then $b lt a$.



I can't put $tan20^0$ anywhere in the inequality. Usually, in these type of problems, $tan{x^o}$ would be greater than $45^o$ , so that I can compare it with the others, knowing that it would be greater than $1$.



How do I compare $a$ and $c$?










share|cite|improve this question









$endgroup$

















    0












    $begingroup$



    $a=cos20^o$



    $b=sin20^o$



    $c=tan20^o$



    Compare $a,b$ and $c$




    I could figure out that $a=cos20^o=sin70^o$, then $b lt a$.



    I can't put $tan20^0$ anywhere in the inequality. Usually, in these type of problems, $tan{x^o}$ would be greater than $45^o$ , so that I can compare it with the others, knowing that it would be greater than $1$.



    How do I compare $a$ and $c$?










    share|cite|improve this question









    $endgroup$















      0












      0








      0





      $begingroup$



      $a=cos20^o$



      $b=sin20^o$



      $c=tan20^o$



      Compare $a,b$ and $c$




      I could figure out that $a=cos20^o=sin70^o$, then $b lt a$.



      I can't put $tan20^0$ anywhere in the inequality. Usually, in these type of problems, $tan{x^o}$ would be greater than $45^o$ , so that I can compare it with the others, knowing that it would be greater than $1$.



      How do I compare $a$ and $c$?










      share|cite|improve this question









      $endgroup$





      $a=cos20^o$



      $b=sin20^o$



      $c=tan20^o$



      Compare $a,b$ and $c$




      I could figure out that $a=cos20^o=sin70^o$, then $b lt a$.



      I can't put $tan20^0$ anywhere in the inequality. Usually, in these type of problems, $tan{x^o}$ would be greater than $45^o$ , so that I can compare it with the others, knowing that it would be greater than $1$.



      How do I compare $a$ and $c$?







      algebra-precalculus trigonometry






      share|cite|improve this question













      share|cite|improve this question











      share|cite|improve this question




      share|cite|improve this question










      asked Jan 25 at 19:46









      Eldar RahimliEldar Rahimli

      36310




      36310






















          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes


















          2












          $begingroup$

          $cos 30^circ$ and $tan 30^circ$ can be memorized without using a calculator (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/1554126/645472).



          $cos 30^circ = frac{sqrt{3}}{2}$ is larger than $tan 30^circ = frac{1}{sqrt{3}}$ (you can see this by multiplying both with $sqrt{3}$). Moreover, $cos theta$ is decreasing for $theta$ going from $0^circ$ to $90^circ$, whereas $tan theta$ is increasing on that interval, so
          $$
          a = cos 20^circ > cos 30^circ > tan 30^circ > tan 20^circ = c
          $$

          Combining this with what you already found ($b<a$) and the answer of @Anadactothe ($c>b$), you get
          $$
          a > c > b
          $$






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$





















            1












            $begingroup$

            Use the appropriate half-angle identity to render $cos^2 20°=(1+cos 40°)/2=(1+sin 50°)/2$. Then since $1>sin 50°>sin 20°$, conclude that $cos^2 20° > sin 20°$ and therefore $cos 20° > sin 20°/cos 20°$.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$





















              0












              $begingroup$

              $c=frac{b}{a}>b$, while $b<sin 30^circ=frac{1}{2}implies frac{c}{a}=frac{b}{1-b^2}<frac{2}{3}$. This uses the fact that $frac{x}{1-x^2}=frac{1}{2}(frac{1}{1-x}-frac{1}{1+x})$ increases on $[0,,1]$.






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$













              • $begingroup$
                Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                $endgroup$
                – Eldar Rahimli
                Jan 25 at 20:06










              • $begingroup$
                @EldarRahimli See edit.
                $endgroup$
                – J.G.
                Jan 25 at 20:09



















              0












              $begingroup$

              For this question, all you need is to know is the quotient identity of tangent, that is $tan(theta) =frac{sin(theta)}{cos(theta)}$



              We know that $cos(0)$ is 1 and is decreasing on the interval $(0,pi)$, so $cos(20) < 1$



              Considering that $tan(20) =frac {sin(20)}{cos(20)}$, and $cos(20) < 1$, it follows that $tan(20) > sin(20)$ because dividing by a number less than one increases the absolute value of an expression, and looking at the unit circle, sine, cosine, and tangent are positive in quadrant 1.



              Therefore, cos(20) > tan(20) > sin(20)






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$









              • 1




                $begingroup$
                How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                $endgroup$
                – JMoravitz
                Jan 25 at 19:59












              • $begingroup$
                ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                $endgroup$
                – Anadactothe
                Jan 25 at 20:03











              Your Answer





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              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes








              4 Answers
              4






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes









              2












              $begingroup$

              $cos 30^circ$ and $tan 30^circ$ can be memorized without using a calculator (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/1554126/645472).



              $cos 30^circ = frac{sqrt{3}}{2}$ is larger than $tan 30^circ = frac{1}{sqrt{3}}$ (you can see this by multiplying both with $sqrt{3}$). Moreover, $cos theta$ is decreasing for $theta$ going from $0^circ$ to $90^circ$, whereas $tan theta$ is increasing on that interval, so
              $$
              a = cos 20^circ > cos 30^circ > tan 30^circ > tan 20^circ = c
              $$

              Combining this with what you already found ($b<a$) and the answer of @Anadactothe ($c>b$), you get
              $$
              a > c > b
              $$






              share|cite|improve this answer









              $endgroup$


















                2












                $begingroup$

                $cos 30^circ$ and $tan 30^circ$ can be memorized without using a calculator (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/1554126/645472).



                $cos 30^circ = frac{sqrt{3}}{2}$ is larger than $tan 30^circ = frac{1}{sqrt{3}}$ (you can see this by multiplying both with $sqrt{3}$). Moreover, $cos theta$ is decreasing for $theta$ going from $0^circ$ to $90^circ$, whereas $tan theta$ is increasing on that interval, so
                $$
                a = cos 20^circ > cos 30^circ > tan 30^circ > tan 20^circ = c
                $$

                Combining this with what you already found ($b<a$) and the answer of @Anadactothe ($c>b$), you get
                $$
                a > c > b
                $$






                share|cite|improve this answer









                $endgroup$
















                  2












                  2








                  2





                  $begingroup$

                  $cos 30^circ$ and $tan 30^circ$ can be memorized without using a calculator (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/1554126/645472).



                  $cos 30^circ = frac{sqrt{3}}{2}$ is larger than $tan 30^circ = frac{1}{sqrt{3}}$ (you can see this by multiplying both with $sqrt{3}$). Moreover, $cos theta$ is decreasing for $theta$ going from $0^circ$ to $90^circ$, whereas $tan theta$ is increasing on that interval, so
                  $$
                  a = cos 20^circ > cos 30^circ > tan 30^circ > tan 20^circ = c
                  $$

                  Combining this with what you already found ($b<a$) and the answer of @Anadactothe ($c>b$), you get
                  $$
                  a > c > b
                  $$






                  share|cite|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$



                  $cos 30^circ$ and $tan 30^circ$ can be memorized without using a calculator (see https://math.stackexchange.com/a/1554126/645472).



                  $cos 30^circ = frac{sqrt{3}}{2}$ is larger than $tan 30^circ = frac{1}{sqrt{3}}$ (you can see this by multiplying both with $sqrt{3}$). Moreover, $cos theta$ is decreasing for $theta$ going from $0^circ$ to $90^circ$, whereas $tan theta$ is increasing on that interval, so
                  $$
                  a = cos 20^circ > cos 30^circ > tan 30^circ > tan 20^circ = c
                  $$

                  Combining this with what you already found ($b<a$) and the answer of @Anadactothe ($c>b$), you get
                  $$
                  a > c > b
                  $$







                  share|cite|improve this answer












                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer










                  answered Mar 2 at 0:32









                  Koen TielsKoen Tiels

                  1706




                  1706























                      1












                      $begingroup$

                      Use the appropriate half-angle identity to render $cos^2 20°=(1+cos 40°)/2=(1+sin 50°)/2$. Then since $1>sin 50°>sin 20°$, conclude that $cos^2 20° > sin 20°$ and therefore $cos 20° > sin 20°/cos 20°$.






                      share|cite|improve this answer









                      $endgroup$


















                        1












                        $begingroup$

                        Use the appropriate half-angle identity to render $cos^2 20°=(1+cos 40°)/2=(1+sin 50°)/2$. Then since $1>sin 50°>sin 20°$, conclude that $cos^2 20° > sin 20°$ and therefore $cos 20° > sin 20°/cos 20°$.






                        share|cite|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$
















                          1












                          1








                          1





                          $begingroup$

                          Use the appropriate half-angle identity to render $cos^2 20°=(1+cos 40°)/2=(1+sin 50°)/2$. Then since $1>sin 50°>sin 20°$, conclude that $cos^2 20° > sin 20°$ and therefore $cos 20° > sin 20°/cos 20°$.






                          share|cite|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$



                          Use the appropriate half-angle identity to render $cos^2 20°=(1+cos 40°)/2=(1+sin 50°)/2$. Then since $1>sin 50°>sin 20°$, conclude that $cos^2 20° > sin 20°$ and therefore $cos 20° > sin 20°/cos 20°$.







                          share|cite|improve this answer












                          share|cite|improve this answer



                          share|cite|improve this answer










                          answered Mar 2 at 1:50









                          Oscar LanziOscar Lanzi

                          13.2k12136




                          13.2k12136























                              0












                              $begingroup$

                              $c=frac{b}{a}>b$, while $b<sin 30^circ=frac{1}{2}implies frac{c}{a}=frac{b}{1-b^2}<frac{2}{3}$. This uses the fact that $frac{x}{1-x^2}=frac{1}{2}(frac{1}{1-x}-frac{1}{1+x})$ increases on $[0,,1]$.






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$













                              • $begingroup$
                                Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Eldar Rahimli
                                Jan 25 at 20:06










                              • $begingroup$
                                @EldarRahimli See edit.
                                $endgroup$
                                – J.G.
                                Jan 25 at 20:09
















                              0












                              $begingroup$

                              $c=frac{b}{a}>b$, while $b<sin 30^circ=frac{1}{2}implies frac{c}{a}=frac{b}{1-b^2}<frac{2}{3}$. This uses the fact that $frac{x}{1-x^2}=frac{1}{2}(frac{1}{1-x}-frac{1}{1+x})$ increases on $[0,,1]$.






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$













                              • $begingroup$
                                Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Eldar Rahimli
                                Jan 25 at 20:06










                              • $begingroup$
                                @EldarRahimli See edit.
                                $endgroup$
                                – J.G.
                                Jan 25 at 20:09














                              0












                              0








                              0





                              $begingroup$

                              $c=frac{b}{a}>b$, while $b<sin 30^circ=frac{1}{2}implies frac{c}{a}=frac{b}{1-b^2}<frac{2}{3}$. This uses the fact that $frac{x}{1-x^2}=frac{1}{2}(frac{1}{1-x}-frac{1}{1+x})$ increases on $[0,,1]$.






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$



                              $c=frac{b}{a}>b$, while $b<sin 30^circ=frac{1}{2}implies frac{c}{a}=frac{b}{1-b^2}<frac{2}{3}$. This uses the fact that $frac{x}{1-x^2}=frac{1}{2}(frac{1}{1-x}-frac{1}{1+x})$ increases on $[0,,1]$.







                              share|cite|improve this answer














                              share|cite|improve this answer



                              share|cite|improve this answer








                              edited Jan 25 at 20:09

























                              answered Jan 25 at 19:55









                              J.G.J.G.

                              30.9k23149




                              30.9k23149












                              • $begingroup$
                                Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Eldar Rahimli
                                Jan 25 at 20:06










                              • $begingroup$
                                @EldarRahimli See edit.
                                $endgroup$
                                – J.G.
                                Jan 25 at 20:09


















                              • $begingroup$
                                Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                                $endgroup$
                                – Eldar Rahimli
                                Jan 25 at 20:06










                              • $begingroup$
                                @EldarRahimli See edit.
                                $endgroup$
                                – J.G.
                                Jan 25 at 20:09
















                              $begingroup$
                              Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                              $endgroup$
                              – Eldar Rahimli
                              Jan 25 at 20:06




                              $begingroup$
                              Can you please elaborate on your answer? I didn't understand how $frac{b}{1-b^2} lt frac{2}{3}$
                              $endgroup$
                              – Eldar Rahimli
                              Jan 25 at 20:06












                              $begingroup$
                              @EldarRahimli See edit.
                              $endgroup$
                              – J.G.
                              Jan 25 at 20:09




                              $begingroup$
                              @EldarRahimli See edit.
                              $endgroup$
                              – J.G.
                              Jan 25 at 20:09











                              0












                              $begingroup$

                              For this question, all you need is to know is the quotient identity of tangent, that is $tan(theta) =frac{sin(theta)}{cos(theta)}$



                              We know that $cos(0)$ is 1 and is decreasing on the interval $(0,pi)$, so $cos(20) < 1$



                              Considering that $tan(20) =frac {sin(20)}{cos(20)}$, and $cos(20) < 1$, it follows that $tan(20) > sin(20)$ because dividing by a number less than one increases the absolute value of an expression, and looking at the unit circle, sine, cosine, and tangent are positive in quadrant 1.



                              Therefore, cos(20) > tan(20) > sin(20)






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$









                              • 1




                                $begingroup$
                                How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                                $endgroup$
                                – JMoravitz
                                Jan 25 at 19:59












                              • $begingroup$
                                ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Anadactothe
                                Jan 25 at 20:03
















                              0












                              $begingroup$

                              For this question, all you need is to know is the quotient identity of tangent, that is $tan(theta) =frac{sin(theta)}{cos(theta)}$



                              We know that $cos(0)$ is 1 and is decreasing on the interval $(0,pi)$, so $cos(20) < 1$



                              Considering that $tan(20) =frac {sin(20)}{cos(20)}$, and $cos(20) < 1$, it follows that $tan(20) > sin(20)$ because dividing by a number less than one increases the absolute value of an expression, and looking at the unit circle, sine, cosine, and tangent are positive in quadrant 1.



                              Therefore, cos(20) > tan(20) > sin(20)






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$









                              • 1




                                $begingroup$
                                How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                                $endgroup$
                                – JMoravitz
                                Jan 25 at 19:59












                              • $begingroup$
                                ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Anadactothe
                                Jan 25 at 20:03














                              0












                              0








                              0





                              $begingroup$

                              For this question, all you need is to know is the quotient identity of tangent, that is $tan(theta) =frac{sin(theta)}{cos(theta)}$



                              We know that $cos(0)$ is 1 and is decreasing on the interval $(0,pi)$, so $cos(20) < 1$



                              Considering that $tan(20) =frac {sin(20)}{cos(20)}$, and $cos(20) < 1$, it follows that $tan(20) > sin(20)$ because dividing by a number less than one increases the absolute value of an expression, and looking at the unit circle, sine, cosine, and tangent are positive in quadrant 1.



                              Therefore, cos(20) > tan(20) > sin(20)






                              share|cite|improve this answer











                              $endgroup$



                              For this question, all you need is to know is the quotient identity of tangent, that is $tan(theta) =frac{sin(theta)}{cos(theta)}$



                              We know that $cos(0)$ is 1 and is decreasing on the interval $(0,pi)$, so $cos(20) < 1$



                              Considering that $tan(20) =frac {sin(20)}{cos(20)}$, and $cos(20) < 1$, it follows that $tan(20) > sin(20)$ because dividing by a number less than one increases the absolute value of an expression, and looking at the unit circle, sine, cosine, and tangent are positive in quadrant 1.



                              Therefore, cos(20) > tan(20) > sin(20)







                              share|cite|improve this answer














                              share|cite|improve this answer



                              share|cite|improve this answer








                              edited Jan 25 at 20:11









                              H Huang

                              397111




                              397111










                              answered Jan 25 at 19:56









                              AnadactotheAnadactothe

                              12411




                              12411








                              • 1




                                $begingroup$
                                How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                                $endgroup$
                                – JMoravitz
                                Jan 25 at 19:59












                              • $begingroup$
                                ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Anadactothe
                                Jan 25 at 20:03














                              • 1




                                $begingroup$
                                How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                                $endgroup$
                                – JMoravitz
                                Jan 25 at 19:59












                              • $begingroup$
                                ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                                $endgroup$
                                – Anadactothe
                                Jan 25 at 20:03








                              1




                              1




                              $begingroup$
                              How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                              $endgroup$
                              – JMoravitz
                              Jan 25 at 19:59






                              $begingroup$
                              How do you know whether $cos(20^circ)$ is greater or less than $tan(20^circ)$? You haven't mentioned this part. Further, this is precisely the part that the OP is asking about.
                              $endgroup$
                              – JMoravitz
                              Jan 25 at 19:59














                              $begingroup$
                              ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                              $endgroup$
                              – Anadactothe
                              Jan 25 at 20:03




                              $begingroup$
                              ah, it appears i can't read properly. let me edit my post.
                              $endgroup$
                              – Anadactothe
                              Jan 25 at 20:03


















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