In Exercises 61–86, use reference angles to find the exact value of each expression. Do not use a calculator. sec 240°
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- 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
3. Unit Circle
Reference Angles
Problem 1.3.72
Textbook Question
In Exercises 61–86, use reference angles to find the exact value of each expression. Do not use a calculator. tan(9𝜋/2)
Verified step by step guidance1
Recognize that the angle given is \( \frac{9\pi}{2} \), which is greater than \( 2\pi \). Since trigonometric functions are periodic, find a coterminal angle by subtracting multiples of \( 2\pi \) until the angle lies within the interval \( [0, 2\pi) \). Use the formula: \( \theta_{coterminal} = \theta - 2\pi k \), where \( k \) is an integer.
Calculate the coterminal angle: \( \frac{9\pi}{2} - 2\pi \times 2 = \frac{9\pi}{2} - \frac{8\pi}{2} = \frac{\pi}{2} \). So, \( \frac{9\pi}{2} \) is coterminal with \( \frac{\pi}{2} \).
Identify the reference angle for \( \frac{\pi}{2} \). Since \( \frac{\pi}{2} \) lies on the positive y-axis, the reference angle is \( 0 \) because it is exactly on the axis.
Recall the value of \( \tan \) at \( \frac{\pi}{2} \). Since tangent is \( \tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} \), and \( \cos \frac{\pi}{2} = 0 \), the tangent function is undefined at \( \frac{\pi}{2} \).
Conclude that \( \tan \frac{9\pi}{2} \) is undefined because it is coterminal with \( \tan \frac{\pi}{2} \), where tangent has a vertical asymptote.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Reference Angles
A reference angle is the acute angle formed between the terminal side of an angle and the x-axis. It helps simplify trigonometric calculations by relating any angle to an angle between 0° and 90° (0 and π/2 radians). Using reference angles allows you to find exact trigonometric values without a calculator.
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Reference Angles on the Unit Circle
Angle Coterminality and Reduction
Angles that differ by full rotations (multiples of 2π radians) share the same terminal side and thus have the same trigonometric values. Reducing an angle like 9π/2 by subtracting multiples of 2π helps find a coterminal angle within one rotation, simplifying the evaluation of trigonometric functions.
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Coterminal Angles
Tangent Function Properties
The tangent function is periodic with period π, meaning tan(θ) = tan(θ + nπ) for any integer n. It is defined as the ratio of sine to cosine (tan θ = sin θ / cos θ) and can be positive or negative depending on the quadrant of the angle. Understanding its periodicity and sign is essential for finding exact values.
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Introduction to Tangent Graph
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