3. Find the area enclosed between the curve \( y=\cos x \), the \( x \)-axis, the \( y \)-axis and the line \( x=\frac{\pi}{3} \).
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The Deep Dive
To find the area enclosed between the curve \( y=\cos x \), the \( x \)-axis, the \( y \)-axis, and the line \( x=\frac{\pi}{3} \), we can set up the integral: \[ \text{Area} = \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{3}} \cos x \, dx \] Calculating this integral: \[ \int \cos x \, dx = \sin x \] Evaluating from \( 0 \) to \( \frac{\pi}{3} \): \[ \text{Area} = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) - \sin(0) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} - 0 = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \] So, the area enclosed is \( \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \) square units. --- The cosine function has deep historical roots, tracing back to ancient civilizations like the Greeks, who made strides in trigonometry. It was used in astronomy as well, helping early astronomers to model celestial movements! Fast forward to the Renaissance, and we see great advances in mathematics leading to our current understanding of trigonometric functions. In the real world, the cosine function appears not only in mathematics but in various fields like physics and engineering. The behavior of waves and oscillations is often modeled using sine and cosine functions, making them essential for explaining phenomena like sound waves, light waves, and even alternating current (AC) electricity! These applications show just how integral trigonometric functions are in practical scenarios.