To find sin(a - B), we need to use the trigonometric identities and information given to break down the expression step-by-step. Let's go through the process:
Step 1: First, find sin(B) using the given information:
Since cos(B) = 15/17 and B lies in quadrant I, we know that sin(B) is positive. To find sin(B), we can use the Pythagorean identity: sin^2(B) + cos^2(B) = 1.
Plugging in the value of cos(B), we have:
sin^2(B) + (15/17)^2 = 1
sin^2(B) + 225/289 = 1
sin^2(B) = 1 - 225/289
sin^2(B) = (289 - 225)/289
sin^2(B) = 64/289
Taking the square root of both sides, we get:
sin(B) = ±8/17
Since B is in quadrant I and sin(B) is positive, we have sin(B) = 8/17.
Step 2: Next, find cos(a) using the given information:
We know that sin(a) = 12/13, and a is in quadrant II. In quadrant II, cos(a) is negative. We can use the Pythagorean identity to find cos(a):
sin^2(a) + cos^2(a) = 1
(12/13)^2 + cos^2(a) = 1
144/169 + cos^2(a) = 1
cos^2(a) = 1 - 144/169
cos^2(a) = (169 - 144)/169
cos^2(a) = 25/169
Taking the square root of both sides and considering that cos(a) is negative in quadrant II, we have:
cos(a) = -5/13
Step 3: Finally, use the trigonometric addition formula to find sin(a - B):
The trigonometric addition formula for sin is: sin(a - B) = sin(a) * cos(B) - cos(a) * sin(B)
Plugging in the values we found earlier, we have:
sin(a - B) = (12/13) * (15/17) - (-5/13) * (8/17)
sin(a - B) = (180/221) + (40/221)
sin(a - B) = 220/221
Therefore, sin(a - B) = 220/221.