Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions, such as arcsine and arccosine, are used to find angles when given a ratio of sides in a right triangle. For example, cos⁻¹(x) gives the angle whose cosine is x. These functions are essential for solving problems where the angle is unknown, and they have specific ranges to ensure each output is unique.
Recommended video:
Derivatives of Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Range of Inverse Cosine
The range of the inverse cosine function, cos⁻¹(x), is restricted to the interval [0, π]. This means that when evaluating cos⁻¹(-1/2), the resulting angle must fall within this range. Understanding this range is crucial for correctly interpreting the output of the inverse cosine function.
Recommended video:
Unit Circle
The unit circle is a fundamental concept in trigonometry that helps visualize the values of trigonometric functions. It is a circle with a radius of one centered at the origin of a coordinate plane. By using the unit circle, one can determine the angles corresponding to specific cosine values, such as -1/2, which corresponds to angles in the second and third quadrants.
Recommended video:
Evaluate Composite Functions - Values on Unit Circle