Chapter 10: Problem 141
In Exercises \(131-154\), find the exact value or state that it is undefined. $$ \tan \left(\arccos \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)\right) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The exact value is \(-\sqrt{3}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We need to find the exact value of \( \tan \left(\arccos \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)\right) \). This involves finding the tangent of an angle whose cosine is given.
02
Analyze the Inverse Cosine
Recognize that \( \arccos \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) \) represents an angle \( \theta \) such that \( \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} \). This is found in the second quadrant, where the angle corresponds to \( \theta = \frac{2\pi}{3} \).
03
Determine the Related Sine Value
Consider that for any angle \( \theta \), the identity \( \sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1 \) holds. With \( \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} \), calculate \( \sin(\theta) \) as follows: \[ \sin^2(\theta) = 1 - \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = 1 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \] Therefore, \( \sin(\theta) = \sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \) in the second quadrant, where sine is positive.
04
Find the Tangent Value
Using the identity for tangent, \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)} \), substitute the known values: \[ \tan \left(\frac{2\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{-\frac{1}{2}} = -\sqrt{3} \]
05
Conclusion
We have determined that \( \tan \left(\arccos \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)\right) = -\sqrt{3} \). The expression is well-defined since the input angle is valid and within the domain of arcsin.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions are crucial when working backwards from a trigonometric value to its corresponding angle. These functions allow us to determine the angle that results in a given trigonometric ratio.
- Each trigonometric function, such as sine, cosine, and tangent, has an inverse: arcsin, arccos, and arctan, respectively.
- The range of these functions is restricted to provide a unique output. For example, the range of \(\arccos(x)\) is from 0 to \(\pi\), covering angles from the first and second quadrants.
Tangent Function
The tangent function, a fundamental trigonometric function, is defined as the ratio of the sine to the cosine of an angle.
For instance, with \( \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} \) and \( \sin(\theta) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \), tangent becomes \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{-\frac{1}{2}} = -\sqrt{3} \).
- Mathematically, this is expressed as \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)} \).
- The values of the tangent function can range from \(-\infty\) to \(+\infty\).
For instance, with \( \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} \) and \( \sin(\theta) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \), tangent becomes \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{-\frac{1}{2}} = -\sqrt{3} \).
Unit Circle
The unit circle is an invaluable tool in trigonometry, providing a simple way to understand the relationships among different trigonometric functions and their corresponding angles.
- It is a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin of a coordinate system.
- Angles on the unit circle are measured in radians, and important points can easily be associated with angles of 0, \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), \(\pi\), \(\frac{3\pi}{2}\), and so on.
Quadrants
In trigonometry, understanding the four quadrants of the coordinate system is essential for determining the signs and values of trigonometric functions.
- The first quadrant includes angles from 0 to \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), where both sine and cosine are positive.
- The second quadrant spans from \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) to \(\pi\), where sine is positive, but cosine is negative, as used in this exercise.
- The third quadrant (\(\pi\) to \(\frac{3\pi}{2}\)) features both sine and cosine as negative.
- In the fourth quadrant (\(\frac{3\pi}{2}\) to 2\(\pi\)), sine is negative while cosine is positive.