Chapter 1: Problem 39
Verify that each point lies on the graph of the unit circle. \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The point \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\) is on the unit circle.
Step by step solution
01
Recall the Unit Circle Equation
The unit circle is defined by the equation \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\). To determine if a point lies on the unit circle, its coordinates \((x, y)\) must satisfy this equation.
02
Substitute Coordinates into the Equation
For the point \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\), let \(x = \frac{1}{2}\) and \(y = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\). Substitute these values into the unit circle equation: \(\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 + \left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)^2 = 1\).
03
Calculate \(x^2\) and \(y^2\)
Calculate \(\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}\) and \(\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{3}{4}\).
04
Add the Results
Add \(\frac{1}{4}\) and \(\frac{3}{4}\) to get \(\frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{4} = 1\).
05
Conclusion
Since \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\), the point \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\) satisfies the unit circle equation, confirming that it lies on the graph of the unit circle.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Verifying Coordinates on the Unit Circle
Understanding how to verify if a point lies on a unit circle begins with recognizing the equation of the unit circle, which is given by \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\). This equation represents a circle centered at the origin \((0, 0)\) with a radius of 1. The coordinates of any point on this circle must satisfy this equation. To verify if a point, such as \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\), lies on the unit circle, simply substitute the \(x\) and \(y\) values into the equation. If the equation holds true, the point indeed lies on the circle.For example:
- Substitute \(x = \frac{1}{2}\) and \(y = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\) into the unit circle equation.
- Calculate \(\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4}\).
- Calculate \(\left(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{3}{4}\).
- Add the results: \(\frac{1}{4} + \frac{3}{4} = 1\).
Substituting Values in Unit Circle Equation
Equation substitution is a fundamental algebraic skill that allows you to determine whether a point is part of a specific curve or line. When dealing with the unit circle, you need to substitute the given coordinates into the unit circle equation \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\).Here's how you do it:
- Identify the given point, such as \(\left(\frac{1}{2}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\).
- Recognize the correlation, where \(x = \frac{1}{2}\) and \(y = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\).
- Plug these values into the equation.
- Check to see if the left side equals 1.
Understanding the Pythagorean Identity
The Pythagorean identity is a key concept in understanding trigonometry and unit circles. It derives from the Pythagorean theorem and is expressed in the form of the equation \(x^2 + y^2 = 1\) for a unit circle. This identity tells us that for any point on a circle with radius 1, the square of its \(x\)-coordinate plus the square of its \(y\)-coordinate equals 1. This is crucial because:
- Every point on the unit circle adheres to this identity.
- The identity forms a foundational basis for understanding trigonometric ratios since sin and cos are essentially the post-angles coordinates of a point on the circle.
- It seamlessly ties geometry with algebraic principles.