Trigonometric value

Cos(60°) = 1/2

Cosine — the x-coordinate of the corresponding unit-circle point, or adjacent/hypotenuse in a right triangle.

How to derive cos(60°)

cos(60°)=12cos(60°) = \dfrac{1}{2}

In the 30-60-90 triangle (sides 1, √3, 2), the side adjacent to 60° has length 1, so cos(60°) = 1/2. Cofunction view: cos(60°) = sin(30°) = 1/2.

Unit-circle context

The angle 60° corresponds to π/3 radians and sits Quadrant I on the unit circle.

Other trig values at 60°

Related cos values

Frequently asked

What is the exact value of cos(60°)?
The exact value is 1/2. Its decimal approximation is 0.5.
How do you derive cos(60°)?
In the 30-60-90 triangle (sides 1, √3, 2), the side adjacent to 60° has length 1, so cos(60°) = 1/2. Cofunction view: cos(60°) = sin(30°) = 1/2.
What is 60° in radians?
60° equals π/3 radians (multiply degrees by π/180).

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