Cos(t)
Definition
Cos(t) is a trigonometric function that represents the ratio between the adjacent side and hypotenuse in a right triangle with angle t (measured in radians).
Analogy
Think of cos(t) as using shadows to estimate someone's height. If you know the angle between their shadow and their body, cos(t) can help you calculate their actual height based on that ratio.
Related terms
Sine function: A trigonometric function that represents the ratio between the opposite side and hypotenuse in a right triangle with angle t.
Periodic function: A function that repeats its values at regular intervals.
Radians: A unit of measurement for angles, where one radian is equal to the angle subtended by an arc of length equal to the radius of a circle.
"Cos(t)" appears in:
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Practice Questions (3)
The function $F(x) = \int_{0}^{x} (1 + \cos(t)) , dt$ represents the accumulation of the function $(1 + \cos(t))$ over the interval $[0, x]$. What is $F'(x)$?
If the position function of a particle is given by s(t) = 5sin(t) + 2cos(t), what is the velocity of the particle at t = π/4?
A particle moves on the xy-plane. Its motion can be described by the parametric functions y(t) = sin(t) and x(t) = cos(t). What will the path of the particle look like?
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