Graph two periods of the given tangent function. y = −2 tan (1/2) x
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
2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles
Solving Right Triangles
Problem 55
Textbook Question
In Exercises 55–58, use a graph to solve each equation for -2π ≤ x ≤ 2π. tan x = -1
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that the equation to solve is \(\tan x = -1\) over the interval \(-2\pi \leq x \leq 2\pi\).
Understand that the tangent function has a period of \(\pi\), meaning its values repeat every \(\pi\) units along the x-axis.
Identify the reference angle where \(\tan x = 1\), which is \(\frac{\pi}{4}\), since \(\tan \frac{\pi}{4} = 1\).
Since we want \(\tan x = -1\), the solutions will be angles where the tangent is negative. Tangent is negative in the second and fourth quadrants, so the solutions correspond to angles \(x = -\frac{3\pi}{4} + k\pi\) and \(x = -\frac{7\pi}{4} + k\pi\) for integers \(k\).
Use the graph of \(y = \tan x\) to visually identify all points where the curve crosses the line \(y = -1\) within the interval \(-2\pi\) to \(2\pi\). These x-values are the solutions to the equation.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Graph of the Tangent Function
The tangent function, tan(x), is periodic with period π and has vertical asymptotes where cos(x) = 0. Its graph repeats every π units and crosses zero at multiples of π. Understanding its shape and behavior helps identify solutions to equations like tan(x) = -1 within a given interval.
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Introduction to Tangent Graph
Solving Trigonometric Equations Using Graphs
Solving equations graphically involves plotting the function and identifying x-values where the function equals a given value. For tan(x) = -1, you find points on the tangent curve that intersect the horizontal line y = -1 within the specified domain, providing approximate or exact solutions.
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Domain and Periodicity in Trigonometric Solutions
The domain restriction (-2π ≤ x ≤ 2π) limits the solutions to a specific interval. Since tan(x) has period π, solutions repeat every π units. Recognizing this periodicity allows you to find all solutions within the interval by adding integer multiples of π to a principal solution.
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