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Cosine for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'koʊsaɪn

What does Cosine really mean?

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Hey there! Let me tell you all about the word "cosine." Don't worry, I'll make sure to explain it in a way that's simple and easy for you to understand, okay?

So, "cosine" is a mathematical term that we use to describe something called a trigonometric function. Now, I know that sounds like a fancy word, but let's break it down. Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationship between angles and sides of triangles. And a function, in this case, is just a special rule or formula that helps us find certain values.

Now, imagine you have a right-angled triangle. You know, a triangle that has one angle that's exactly 90 degrees. The cosine function helps us find a specific value, which is the ratio between the length of one of the sides of the triangle and the length of the hypotenuse. Oh, by the way, the hypotenuse is just the longest side of a right-angled triangle.

If we let me be a little more technical, the cosine of an angle is equal to the length of the adjacent side (the side next to the angle we're interested in) divided by the hypotenuse. The adjacent side is like your next-door neighbor, it's the one that's right beside you. And the hypotenuse is like the main road that connects all the sides of your triangle together!

Now, why is this cosine thing important, you may wonder? Well, it helps us solve all sorts of real-life problems! For example, if you're trying to figure out the distance between two points, or maybe the height of a tree or a building, you can use trigonometry and cosine specifically to help you find the answer. It's quite handy, isn't it?

So, to sum it all up, cosine is a trigonometric function that helps us find the ratio between the length of the adjacent side and the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle. It's like a special tool we can use to solve problems that involve angles and distances. I hope that makes sense to you! Is there anything else you'd like to know about cosine?


Revised and Fact checked by William Taylor on 2023-10-28 08:14:58

Cosine In a sentece

Learn how to use Cosine inside a sentece

  • When you look up at the sky, the angle between the ground and your line of sight is an example of cosine.
  • If there is a triangle where you know the lengths of two sides, you can use the cosine function to find the measure of an angle.
  • When you are riding a bicycle on a curved path, the cosine of the angle between your direction of motion and the tangent to the path tells you how much of your effort is used to move forward.
  • If you are throwing a ball at an angle, the cosine of that angle helps determine how far the ball will travel in the horizontal direction.
  • In a right-angled triangle, where one of the angles is 90 degrees, the cosine of one of the non-right angles is equal to the ratio of the adjacent side length to the hypotenuse length.

Cosine Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

cos cos

Cosine Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

circular function circular function trigonometric function trigonometric function