Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Identities
Trigonometric identities are equations that involve trigonometric functions and are true for all values of the variables involved. The identity for the tangent of a sum, tan(x + y) = (tan x + tan y) / (1 - tan x * tan y), is particularly useful for solving problems involving the sum of angles. Understanding these identities is essential for manipulating and simplifying trigonometric expressions.
Recommended video:
Fundamental Trigonometric Identities
Quadrants and Signs of Trigonometric Functions
The unit circle is divided into four quadrants, each affecting the signs of the trigonometric functions. In quadrant IV, cosine is positive and sine is negative, while in quadrant III, both sine and cosine are negative. Knowing the quadrant in which an angle lies helps determine the signs of sine, cosine, and tangent, which is crucial for calculating values like tan(x + y).
Recommended video:
Finding Missing Trigonometric Values
To find the tangent of an angle when only sine or cosine is known, one can use the Pythagorean identity, sin²θ + cos²θ = 1. For example, if cos x = 2/9, we can find sin x using this identity. Similarly, for sin y = -1/2, we can find cos y. These values are necessary to compute tan x and tan y, which are then used in the tangent sum identity.
Recommended video: