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Question

What is \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) equal to ?

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2023 GAT Previous Year Paper (16-Apr-2023)
The correct answer is \(\frac{25}{17}\)

Evaluating Trigonometric Expressions with Inverse Functions

The question asks us to find the value of the expression \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\).

This expression involves both a trigonometric function (\(\sin^2\)) and an inverse trigonometric function (\(\cos^{-1}\)). To evaluate this, we can use a substitution to simplify the inverse trigonometric part.

Step-by-Step Evaluation of \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\)

  1. Let \(\theta = \cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\).

    By the definition of the inverse cosine function, this means that \(\cos \theta = \frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\). Here, \(\theta\) represents an angle whose cosine is \(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\).

  2. Substitute \(\theta\) into the original expression.

    The expression \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) becomes \(1+\sin^2(\theta)\).

  3. Use a trigonometric identity to relate \(\sin^2 \theta\) and \(\cos^2 \theta\).

    We know the fundamental trigonometric identity: \(\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1\).

    From this identity, we can express \(\sin^2 \theta\) as \(\sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta\).

  4. Substitute the value of \(\cos \theta\) into the identity.

    We found that \(\cos \theta = \frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\). Therefore, \(\cos^2 \theta = \left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)^2\).

    \(\cos^2 \theta = \frac{3^2}{(\sqrt{17})^2} = \frac{9}{17}\).

  5. Calculate \(\sin^2 \theta\).

    \(\sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta = 1 - \frac{9}{17}\).

    To subtract, find a common denominator:

    \(\sin^2 \theta = \frac{17}{17} - \frac{9}{17} = \frac{17-9}{17} = \frac{8}{17}\).

  6. Substitute the value of \(\sin^2 \theta\) back into the simplified expression \(1+\sin^2(\theta)\).

    The expression is \(1+\sin^2 \theta\).

    Substitute \(\sin^2 \theta = \frac{8}{17}\):

    \(1 + \frac{8}{17}\).

  7. Calculate the final value.

    \(1 + \frac{8}{17} = \frac{17}{17} + \frac{8}{17} = \frac{17+8}{17} = \frac{25}{17}\).

Thus, the value of \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) is \(\frac{25}{17}\).

Verification of the Result

We can summarise the calculation steps:

Expression Part Calculation Value
\(\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\) Let \(\theta = \cos^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\) \(\cos \theta = \frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\)
\(\sin^2\left(\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) \(\sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta = 1 - \left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)^2\) \(1 - \frac{9}{17} = \frac{8}{17}\)
\(1+\sin^2\left(\cos^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) \(1 + \sin^2 \theta = 1 + \frac{8}{17}\) \(\frac{25}{17}\)

The final calculated value matches one of the given options.

Revision Table: Key Trigonometry Concepts

Concept Description Formula/Identity
Inverse Cosine Function (\(\cos^{-1}x\)) Returns the angle \(\theta\) such that \(\cos \theta = x\). The range is typically \(0 \le \theta \le \pi\). If \(\cos \theta = x\), then \(\theta = \cos^{-1} x\)
Pythagorean Identity Relates sine and cosine functions squared. \(\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1\)

Additional Information: Relating Inverse Trig Functions

For angles \(\theta\) in the appropriate domains, we can relate inverse trigonometric functions using identities derived from right-angled triangles or fundamental identities.

If we have \(\cos \theta = x\), we can construct a right-angled triangle where the adjacent side is \(x\) and the hypotenuse is \(1\). The opposite side would be \(\sqrt{1-x^2}\).

In our case, \(\cos \theta = \frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\).

We can consider a right-angled triangle with adjacent side \(3\) and hypotenuse \(\sqrt{17}\). The opposite side \(o\) can be found using the Pythagorean theorem: \(3^2 + o^2 = (\sqrt{17})^2\), which gives \(9 + o^2 = 17\), so \(o^2 = 17 - 9 = 8\), and \(o = \sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2}\).

For the same angle \(\theta\), \(\sin \theta\) would be \(\frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{hypotenuse}} = \frac{\sqrt{8}}{\sqrt{17}}\).

Therefore, \(\sin^2 \theta = \left(\frac{\sqrt{8}}{\sqrt{17}}\right)^2 = \frac{8}{17}\).

This confirms our earlier calculation for \(\sin^2 \theta\) using the identity \(\sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta\).

The expression \(1+\sin ^2\left(\cos ^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{\sqrt{17}}\right)\right)\) evaluates to \(1 + \frac{8}{17} = \frac{25}{17}\).

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