/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 10 Find the exact value of each of ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Find the exact value of each of the following expressions without using a calculator. $$\cot (2 \pi / 3)$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
\(\cot(2\pi / 3) = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\)

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Angle

Identify that the angle given is in radians. The angle is \(2\pi / 3\). This is an angle in the second quadrant of the unit circle.
02

Find Reference Angle

A reference angle for \(2\pi / 3\) is found by subtracting \(\pi / 3\) from \(\pi \). Therefore, the reference angle is \(\pi / 3\).
03

Determine the Cotangent of the Reference Angle

\(\cot(\pi / 3) = \frac{1}{\tan(\pi / 3)}\). We know that \(\tan(\pi / 3) = \sqrt{3}\), so \(\cot(\pi / 3) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\).
04

Adjust for the Quadrant

Since \(2\pi / 3\) is in the second quadrant, and \(\cot\) is negative in the second quadrant, we have \(\cot(2\pi / 3) = -\cot(\pi / 3)\).
05

Compute the Final Answer

Using the value found in Step 3, we have \(\cot(2\pi / 3) = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}\).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Radians
Radians measure angles based on the radius of a circle. Unlike degrees which divide a circle into 360 parts, radians divide it using the circle's circumference. One full circle equals \(2\pi\) radians, which is about 6.28. This links arc length and radius directly. For example, a \(\pi/2\) radian means a quarter circle or 90 degrees. Converting between radians and degrees involves the factor \(\pi \,\text{radians} = 180 \degree\). Remembering common angles in radians—like \(\pi/3\), \(\pi/4\), and \(2\pi/3\)—makes solving trigonometric problems easier.
Unit Circle
The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin of the coordinate plane. It's fundamental in trigonometry. Each point on the unit circle corresponds to an angle and the (x, y) coordinates on the circle represent the cosine and sine of that angle, respectively. For instance, at \(\theta = 2\pi/3\), the point on the unit circle is \((-1/2, \sqrt{3}/2)\). This shows that \(\cos(2\pi/3) = -1/2\) and \(\sin(2\pi/3) = \sqrt{3}/2\). Understanding these coordinates helps identify values for all trigonometric functions, including cotangent.
Reference Angle
A reference angle is the acute angle formed between the terminal side of an angle and the x-axis. It's always positive and lies between \(0\) and \(\pi/2\) radians. For an angle \(2\pi/3\), subtract \(\pi/3\) from \(\pi\) to find the reference angle: \(\pi - 2\pi/3 = \pi/3\). By relating each angle to an easily known reference angle, we simplify our calculations. For example, \(\cot(\pi/3)\) is the same as \(\cot(2\pi/3)\) but with a sign change based on the quadrant.
Cotangent
Cotangent, written as \(\cot(\theta)\), is the reciprocal of tangent: \(\cot(\theta) = 1 / \tan(\theta)\). It's also calculated from the cosine and sine: \(\cot(\theta) = \cos(\theta) / \sin(\theta)\). For \(\theta = \pi/3\), \(\tan(\pi/3) = \sqrt{3}\), so \(\cot(\pi/3) = 1/\sqrt{3} = \sqrt{3}/3\). Remember that the sign of cotangent depends on the angle's quadrant. In the second quadrant, where \(2\pi/3\) lies, cotangent values are negative, hence \(\cot(2\pi/3) = -\cot(\pi/3) = -\sqrt{3}/3\).

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Solve each problem. Motion of a Spring A weight on a vertical spring is given an initial upward velocity of 3 in./sec from a point 1 in. below equilibrium. Assuming that the constant \(\omega\) has a value of \(\sqrt{3},\) write the formula for the location of the weight at time \(t,\) and find its location 2 sec after it is set in motion.

If \(\beta\) is an angle in standard position such that \(\sin (\beta)=1 / 4\) and \(\beta\) terminates in quadrant II, then what is the exact value of \(\cos (\beta) ?\)

Graph \(y=x+\tan x\) for \(-6 \leq x \leq 6\) and \(-10 \leq y \leq 10\) Explain your results. Average Rate of Change The average rate of change of a function on a short interval \([x, x+h]\) for a fixed value of \(h\) is a function itself. Sometimes it is a function that we can recognize by its graph. a. Graph \(y_{1}=\sin (x)\) and its average rate of change $$ y_{2}=\left(y_{1}(x+0.1)-y_{1}(x)\right) / 0.1 $$ for \(-2 \pi \leq x \leq 2 \pi .\) What familiar function does \(y_{2}\) look like? b. Repeat part (a) for \(y_{1}=\cos (x), y_{1}=e^{x}, y_{1}=\ln (x),\) and \(y_{1}=x^{2}\)

The volume of air \(v\) in cubic centimeters in the lungs of a certain distance runner is modeled by the equation \(v=400 \sin (60 \pi t)+900,\) where \(t\) is time in minutes. a. What are the maximum and minimum volumes of air in the runner's lungs at any time? b. How many breaths does the runner take per minute?

Determine the period and sketch at least one cycle of the graph of each function. State the range of each function. $$y=-\csc \left(\frac{\pi}{2} x+\frac{\pi}{2}\right)$$

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Math Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.