In Exercises 49โ59, find the exact value of each expression. Do not use a calculator. tan 120ยฐ
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- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
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- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
3. Unit Circle
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Problem 1.RE.54
Textbook Question
In Exercises 49โ59, find the exact value of each expression. Do not use a calculator. csc(-2๐/3)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the definition of cosecant: \(\csc \theta = \frac{1}{\sin \theta}\).
Use the property of sine for negative angles: \(\sin(-\theta) = -\sin \theta\). So, \(\sin\left(-\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = -\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right)\).
Find \(\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right)\) by recognizing that \(\frac{2\pi}{3}\) is in the second quadrant where sine is positive, and it corresponds to \(\pi - \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{2\pi}{3}\). So, \(\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)\).
Recall the exact value \(\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\), so \(\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\).
Combine these results to find \(\csc\left(-\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{1}{\sin\left(-\frac{2\pi}{3}\right)} = \frac{1}{-\sin\left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right)} = \frac{1}{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}\).
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Understanding the Cosecant Function
Cosecant (csc) is the reciprocal of the sine function, defined as csc(ฮธ) = 1/sin(ฮธ). To find csc(ฮธ), you first determine sin(ฮธ) and then take its reciprocal. This relationship is fundamental when evaluating trigonometric expressions without a calculator.
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Evaluating Trigonometric Functions at Negative Angles
Trigonometric functions have specific properties for negative angles. For sine, sin(-ฮธ) = -sin(ฮธ), meaning the sine function is odd. This helps simplify expressions like csc(-2ฯ/3) by relating them to positive angle values.
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Reference Angles and Unit Circle Values
Using the unit circle, angles are measured in radians, and their sine values correspond to y-coordinates. The reference angle for 2ฯ/3 is ฯ/3, whose sine value is โ3/2. Understanding reference angles allows exact evaluation of trigonometric functions at various angles.
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