The terminal side of an angle in standard position passes through p(15,-8) . what is the value of sin theta?
a. sin theta= -15/1
b. sin theta = -8 /17
c. sin theta=8/17
d. sin theta =15/17

ANSWER



EXPLANATION

We draw the diagram as shown in the attachment.

We can see that the angle is in the 4th quadrant.

We use the Pythagoras Theorem to determine the hypotenuse of the right angle triangle as follows:











We know that the sine ratio is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the hypotenuse. Since the angle is in the 4th quadrant the sine ratio is negative.



Note that the negative sign of the 8 and the positive sign of the 15 helped us to determine the quadrant in which the angle is, and that the negative sign has nothing to do with the length. I know this confuses most students.

Whuwuwjhsjskwkw ekkwjjwj apoco