Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Reference Angle
The reference angle is the acute angle formed by the terminal side of a given angle and the x-axis. It is always measured as a positive angle and is typically between 0 and π/2 radians (0° and 90°). For angles greater than π, the reference angle helps simplify trigonometric calculations by relating them to angles in the first quadrant.
Recommended video:
Reference Angles on the Unit Circle
Angle Measurement in Radians
In trigonometry, angles can be measured in degrees or radians. Radians are a unit of angular measure where one full rotation (360 degrees) is equal to 2π radians. Understanding how to convert between degrees and radians is essential for finding reference angles, especially when dealing with angles expressed in radians, such as 7π/4.
Recommended video:
Converting between Degrees & Radians
Quadrants of the Coordinate Plane
The coordinate plane is divided into four quadrants, each corresponding to specific ranges of angle measures. The location of an angle determines its reference angle; for instance, angles in the third and fourth quadrants have different reference angles compared to those in the first and second quadrants. Knowing which quadrant an angle lies in is crucial for accurately determining its reference angle.
Recommended video: