When to answer using radians or degrees
Updated 29 Aug 2024
When expressing arguments of trigonometric functions in Mastering assignment answers, use radians unless the question specifically asks you to answer in degrees.
- Conversion — To obtain an angle in radians, multiply the angle in degrees by /180. Degrees-to-radians conversion tools are available over the Internet. You can also ask your instructor to suggest one.
- Grading — Your answer will be graded correct as long as it is algebraically and trigonomically equivalent to the program's answer, even if it looks different.
For example, if a question asks you to find the horizontal component of a vector of length 10 that's directed 30 degrees above the horizontal, Mastering will accept "10*cos(/6)", but not "10*cos(30)". Use the pi symbol to avoid possible rounding errors.
To insert the pi symbol in the answer box, use either of the following methods:
- Enter \pi from your keyboard.
To view a keyboard on your mobile device, open the Letters menu on the toolbar. - Select from the Symbols menu.
- Conversion — To obtain an angle in degrees, multiply the angle in radians by 180/. (Use the pi symbol in the answer box to avoid possible rounding errors.) Radians-to-degrees conversion tools are available over the Internet. You can also ask your instructor to suggest one.
- Grading — Your answer will be graded correct as long as it's algebraically and trigonomically equivalent to the program's answer, even if it looks different.
For example, if a question asks you to find the horizontal component of a vector of length 10 that's directed 30 degrees above the horizontal, Mastering accepts "10*cos(30)", but not "10*cos(/6)".
To insert the pi symbol in the answer box, use either of these methods:
- Enter \pi from your keyboard.
To display an answer keyboard on your mobile device, open the Letters menu on the toolbar. - Select from the Symbols menu.