Precalculus Examples

$\cos (240 + 45)$

Step 1

Add $240$ and $45$ .

$\cos (285)$

Step 2

The exact value of $\cos (285)$ is $\frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Apply the reference angle by finding the angle with equivalent trig values in the first quadrant.

$\cos (75)$

Step 2.2

Split $75$ into two angles where the values of the six trigonometric functions are known.

$\cos (30 + 45)$

Step 2.3

Apply the sum of angles identity $\cos (x + y) = \cos (x) \cos (y) - \sin (x) \sin (y)$ .

$\cos (30) \cos (45) - \sin (30) \sin (45)$

Step 2.4

The exact value of $\cos (30)$ is $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cos (45) - \sin (30) \sin (45)$

Step 2.5

The exact value of $\cos (45)$ is $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \sin (30) \sin (45)$

Step 2.6

The exact value of $\sin (30)$ is $\frac{1}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{1}{2} \sin (45)$

Step 2.7

The exact value of $\sin (45)$ is $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Step 2.8

Simplify $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.8.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.8.1.1

Multiply $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.8.1.1.1

Multiply $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$ by $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{3} \sqrt{2}}{2 \cdot 2} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Step 2.8.1.1.2

Combine using the product rule for radicals.

$\frac{\sqrt{3 \cdot 2}}{2 \cdot 2} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Step 2.8.1.1.3

Multiply $3$ by $2$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{6}}{2 \cdot 2} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Step 2.8.1.1.4

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{6}}{4} - \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$

Step 2.8.1.2

Multiply $- \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.8.1.2.1

Multiply $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ by $\frac{1}{2}$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{6}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2 \cdot 2}$

Step 2.8.1.2.2

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$\frac{\sqrt{6}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}$

Step 2.8.2

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}$

Step 3

The result can be shown in multiple forms.

Exact Form:

$\frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}$

Decimal Form:

$0.25881904 \dots$