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Sin 390 Without Calculator

Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team

Calculating sin(390) without a calculator requires understanding the unit circle and reference angles. This guide explains how to find the sine of 390 degrees using basic trigonometry principles.

How to Calculate sin(390)

To find sin(390) without a calculator, follow these steps:

  1. Understand that 390 degrees is more than 360 degrees, so we'll use the concept of coterminal angles.
  2. Find the reference angle by subtracting 360 degrees from 390 degrees.
  3. Determine the sine value using the reference angle and the unit circle.

The sine of an angle is equal to the y-coordinate of the corresponding point on the unit circle.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Find the Coterminal Angle

Since 390° is greater than 360°, we can find its coterminal angle by subtracting 360°:

Coterminal Angle Formula

Coterminal Angle = Original Angle - 360°

390° - 360° = 30°

So, 390° is coterminal with 30°.

Step 2: Determine the Sine Value

Now, we can find sin(30°) using the unit circle:

Sine of 30°

sin(30°) = 0.5

Since sine is positive in the first quadrant where 30° lies, the sine of 390° is the same as the sine of 30°.

Final Result

The sine of 390 degrees is equal to the sine of 30 degrees, which is 0.5.

Worked Example

Let's calculate sin(390°) step by step:

  1. Subtract 360° from 390°: 390° - 360° = 30°
  2. Find sin(30°): 0.5
  3. Therefore, sin(390°) = sin(30°) = 0.5

This shows that sin(390°) is equal to 0.5.

Formula Used

Sine of an Angle

sin(θ) = y-coordinate of the point on the unit circle corresponding to angle θ

For θ = 390°:

sin(390°) = sin(30°) = 0.5

This formula is based on the unit circle definition of sine, where the sine of an angle is equal to the y-coordinate of the corresponding point on the unit circle.

FAQ

Why is sin(390°) equal to sin(30°)?
Because 390° is coterminal with 30° (390° - 360° = 30°), and sine values repeat every 360°.
What is the reference angle for 390°?
The reference angle is 30° because 390° - 360° = 30°.
Is sin(390°) positive or negative?
sin(390°) is positive because 390° is in the first quadrant (360° to 450°).
Can I use this method for any angle greater than 360°?
Yes, you can subtract 360° repeatedly until you get an angle between 0° and 360° to find the reference angle.