Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tangent Function
The tangent function, denoted as tan(θ), is defined as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle. It can also be expressed in terms of sine and cosine as tan(θ) = sin(θ)/cos(θ). For specific angles, such as π/3, the tangent has known exact values, which are essential for solving trigonometric expressions.
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Secant Function
The secant function, represented as sec(θ), is the reciprocal of the cosine function, defined as sec(θ) = 1/cos(θ). It is important to know the exact values of secant for common angles, such as π/6, to accurately compute expressions involving secant without a calculator.
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Exact Values of Trigonometric Functions
Exact values of trigonometric functions refer to the specific values of sine, cosine, tangent, secant, and other functions at key angles (like 0, π/6, π/4, π/3, and π/2). Memorizing these values allows for quick calculations and simplifications in trigonometric expressions, which is crucial for solving problems without a calculator.
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