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Small Angle Approximations | Year 2 Pure | A Level Maths

Small angle approximations are an elegant way to simplify trig expressions when the angle is close to zero. In this lesson you will learn how to use sin theta = theta, cos theta = 1 — theta^2 / 2 and tan theta = theta where theta is in radians, and apply them to approximate expressions such as (cos 3x — 1) / (sin 4x times x) when x is small to find that the limit is -9/8. The technique is widely used in physics and modelling.

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Lesson Video On Small Angle Approximations

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Lesson Resources For Small Angle Approximations

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