Part 4/6:
This indicates that while the cosine function produces a curve, its linear approximation flattens out at one when examined near the origin.
Evaluating the Accuracy of Approximations
The accuracy of these linear approximations is contingent upon how close the angle is to zero. In many practical applications:
The tangent and sine functions maintain high accuracy up to approximately 5 degrees as the values yield results very close to the angle in radians itself.
In comparison, the cosine function, while providing a reliable estimate of 1, shows decreased accuracy as the angle grows beyond this narrow margin.