\[\sin\alpha = - \frac{8}{17};\ \ \]
\[180{^\circ} < \alpha < 270{^\circ} \Longrightarrow \cos\alpha < 0\]
\[\cos\alpha = \sqrt{1 - \sin^{2}\alpha} =\]
\[= \sqrt{1 - \left( - \frac{8}{17} \right)^{2}} = \sqrt{1 - \frac{64}{289}} =\]
\[= \sqrt{\frac{225}{289}} = \left| \frac{15}{17} \right| = - \frac{15}{17}\ \]