So far, we haven’t had much use for a calculator with our math operations. Going forward, we might want to check what exactly the value of a certain function is, or find it’s inverse.
Using a calculator to find trig function values is important to be able to check our work and for various applications.
For example:
\text{sin}39\degree = .62932To find this value, first make sure that your calculator is in degree mode. If you are not sure how to do this, do a quick google search of “how to put [your calculator model] in degree mode”. This video will be helpful to you if you have a TI 83 or 84 model calculator and for other similar calculators.
After you are sure that your calculator is in degree mode, you will simply find and press the “sin” button on your calculator, key in 39 immediately after, and then press enter. You should get the same result as above.
If you do not, make sure that you have put your calculator into degree mode and not radian, and try again.
For the next step, we are going to find the inverse of sin39 degrees (csc39 degrees).
You can do this one of two ways.
The first way is to enter it into your calculator this way –
\frac{1}{(\text{sin}(39))} = 1.589It’s very important to remember to use your parentheses so that your calculator doesn’t get confused. Always make sure that your parentheses are placed correctly, or you might end up with the wrong answer.
A second and perhaps simpler way to find the answer is to use the reciprocal button on your calculator –
x^{-1}So here is how you would enter the function…
((\text{sin}(39)^{-1})I personally find it easier to use the inverse button instead of writing the fraction, but either option should yield the same result, and it is ultimately up to personal preference.
And that’s how you use your calculator to find trig function values! I hope that you found this article to be helpful!