[Math] Sine of an obtuse angle

trigonometry

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In the figure above, $\angle MOP=\theta , \angle POP'=90^o$

$$\sin (90^o+\theta)=\sin \angle MOP'=\frac{M'P'}{OP'}(\text{how?})=\frac{OM}{OP}=\cos \theta$$

Sine is opposite side/hypotenuse, then in this case how does the author determine the sine of an obtuse angle? (Is it possible with elementary geometry? This topic is far before laws of sine and cosine)

Best Answer

This depends on your definition of $\sin$. It is not abnormal to define $\sin$ so that your equation holds. So either it is by definition, or you probably have to use some simple formula, like:

the formula $\sin (180 - x) = \sin(x)$. So $$ \frac{M'P'}{OP'} = \sin M'OP' = \sin (180 - M'OP') = \sin(90 + \theta). $$

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