Trigonometry homework

Question

Find the angle between 0 and 360 degrees that is coterminal to -450 degrees

Answer 1

Hi Joelle N.,

Coterminal angles are angles in standard position (angles with the initial side on the positive x-axis) that have a common terminal side.

To find the terminal side for -450 we move in a clockwise direction off the (+)x-axis, so the first (-)90⁰ we are at the (-)y-axis, at (-)180⁰ we are at the (-)x-axis, at (-)270⁰ we are at the (+)y-axis, at (-)360⁰ we are at the (+)x-axis (where we started), and at (-)450⁰ we are at the (-)y-axis. So the (-)y-axis is our terminal side.

To find the coterminal between 0 and 360 degrees we have to move in a counterclockwise direction off the (+)x-axis. At 90⁰ counterclockwise we are at the (+)y-axis, at 180⁰ we are at the (-)x-axis, and at 270⁰ we are at the (-)y-axis which is the terminal side. So 270⁰ is the coterminal between 0 and 360 degrees.

I hope this helps, Joe.