Find the cosine of θ if sin(θ) = 1/2 and θ is in the first quadrant
Given $ \sin(\theta) = \frac{1}{2} $ and $ \theta $ is in the first quadrant.
We know that $ \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1 $.
So,
$$ \left( \frac{1}{2} \right)^2 + \cos^2(\theta) = 1 $$
$$ \frac{1}{4} + \cos^2(\theta) = 1 $$
$$ \cos^2(\theta) = 1 – \frac{1}{4} $$
$$ \cos^2(\theta) = \frac{3}{4} $$
$$ \cos(\theta) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} $$
Since $ \theta $ is in the first quadrant, $ \cos(\theta) $ is positive:
$$ \cos(\theta) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} $$