How do you evaluate arccos(-1/sqrt2)?

1 Answer
Apr 15, 2016

As the range is not specified, the general value is given. The principal value of arc cos(-1/sqrt2) is (3pi)/4.
The general value is 2kpi+-(3pi)/4, k = 0. 1. 2. 3.,...

Explanation:

Cosine is positive in the 1st quadrant [0, pi/2] and negative in the second [pi/2, pi]

The principal value for arc cos is defined to be in [0, pi].

The general value is 2kpi+-(principal value), k = 0. 1. 2. 3.,...

Here, the principal value of arc cos (-1/sqrt2) = (3pi)/4.