In Exercises 55–62, use the properties of inverse functions f(f⁻¹ (x)) = x for all x in the domain of f⁻¹ and f⁻¹(f(x)) for all x in the domain of f, as well as the definitions of the inverse cotangent, cosecant, and secant functions, to find the exact value of each expression, if possible. cot⁻¹ (cot 3π/4)
Table of contents
- 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
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations
Inverse Sine, Cosine, & Tangent
Problem 77
Textbook Question
In Exercises 63–82, use a sketch to find the exact value of each expression. cos [tan⁻¹ (− 2/3)]
Verified step by step guidance1
Recognize that the expression involves the cosine of an inverse tangent function: \(\cos\left(\tan^{-1}\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)\right)\). This means we need to find the cosine of an angle whose tangent is \(-\frac{2}{3}\).
Let \(\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)\). By definition, \(\tan(\theta) = -\frac{2}{3}\). We can think of \(\theta\) as an angle in a right triangle where the opposite side is \(-2\) and the adjacent side is \(3\) (the negative sign indicates direction, which affects the quadrant).
Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the hypotenuse \(r\) of the triangle: \(r = \sqrt{(3)^2 + (-2)^2} = \sqrt{9 + 4} = \sqrt{13}\).
Recall that \(\cos(\theta) = \frac{\text{adjacent}}{\text{hypotenuse}}\). Using the triangle sides, \(\cos(\theta) = \frac{3}{\sqrt{13}}\). Consider the sign of cosine based on the quadrant of \(\theta\) (since tangent is negative, \(\theta\) lies in either the second or fourth quadrant).
Determine the correct sign of \(\cos(\theta)\) based on the quadrant and write the exact value of \(\cos\left(\tan^{-1}\left(-\frac{2}{3}\right)\right)\) as \(\pm \frac{3}{\sqrt{13}}\) accordingly.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Inverse Tangent Function (tan⁻¹ or arctan)
The inverse tangent function returns the angle whose tangent is a given number. For tan⁻¹(−2/3), it gives an angle in the range of −π/2 to π/2 whose tangent is −2/3. Understanding this helps in interpreting the angle involved in the problem.
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Inverse Tangent
Right Triangle Representation of Trigonometric Ratios
Trigonometric functions can be represented using right triangles, where the sides correspond to ratios like opposite, adjacent, and hypotenuse. For tan⁻¹(−2/3), a triangle with opposite side −2 and adjacent side 3 can be sketched to find the hypotenuse and then calculate cosine.
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Solving Right Triangles with the Pythagorean Theorem
Relationship Between Tangent and Cosine
Cosine of an angle can be found using the sides of the right triangle: cos(θ) = adjacent/hypotenuse. Given tan(θ) = opposite/adjacent, once the hypotenuse is found using the Pythagorean theorem, cosine can be calculated exactly.
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Sine, Cosine, & Tangent of 30°, 45°, & 60°
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