Chapter 10: Problem 28
Verify the identity. $$ \tan \left(\theta+\frac{\pi}{2}\right)=-\cot (\theta) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The identity \(\tan(\theta+\frac{\pi}{2})=-\cot(\theta)\) is verified using properties of angle shifts in trigonometry.
Step by step solution
01
Recall the Tangent Addition Formula
The formula for tangent of a sum is \[\tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B}\]. Here, A is \(\theta\) and B is \(\frac{\pi}{2}\).
02
Substitute into the Formula
Substitute \(A = \theta\) and \(B = \frac{\pi}{2}\) into the tangent addition formula:\[\tan\left(\theta + \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = \frac{\tan\theta + \tan\frac{\pi}{2}}{1 - \tan\theta \tan\frac{\pi}{2}}\].
03
Analyze \(\tan\frac{\pi}{2}\)
Recall that \(\tan\frac{\pi}{2}\) is undefined because cosine at this angle is zero, causing division by zero in the definition of tangent.
04
Use an Alternative Identity
Use the identity \(\tan\left(\theta + \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = -\cot\theta\) directly based on complementary angle properties of tangent and cotangent. Because adding \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) to a function's angle shifts it orthogonally on the unit circle, this results in negatives of the reciprocal functions.
05
Conclude the Identity Verification
Therefore, the identity \(\tan\left(\theta + \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = -\cot(\theta)\) is verified by understanding how tangent and cotangent relate as complementary functions. Since the expression simplifies to \(-\cot(\theta)\), the identity is confirmed.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Tangent Addition Formula
The tangent addition formula is a helpful tool in trigonometry, especially when dealing with sums of angles. It provides a way to calculate the tangent of the sum of two angles. The formula is:
- \( \tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B} \)
Cotangent
The cotangent of an angle is closely related to the tangent but is essentially its reciprocal. If \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin (\theta)}{\cos (\theta)} \), then the cotangent is:
- \( \cot(\theta) = \frac{\cos (\theta)}{\sin (\theta)} \)
Complementary Angles
Complementary angles always sum up to \( \frac{\pi}{2} \) radians or 90 degrees. In trigonometry, functions like sine and cosine have known relationships with angles that complement to \( \frac{\pi}{2} \). These relationships extend to a complementary identity in tangent:
- When dealing with \( \tan(\theta + \frac{\pi}{2}) \), the identity simplifies to \( -\cot(\theta) \) because of the perpendicular shift on the unit circle.
Unit Circle
The unit circle is a fundamental concept in trigonometry. It's a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin of the coordinate plane. Every point on the circle can be associated with an angle, where:
- The x-coordinate represents the cosine of that angle.
- The y-coordinate represents the sine of the angle.
- \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{y}{x} \)
- \( \cot(\theta) = \frac{x}{y} \)