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Ch. 3 - Radian Measure and The Unit Circle
Lial - Trigonometry 12th Edition
Lial12th EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780136552161Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 4, Problem 7

Each figure shows an angle θ in standard position with its terminal side intersecting the unit circle. Evaluate the six circular function values of θ.


Unit circle with angle θ in standard position, showing terminal side intersecting at (√2/2, √2/2).

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1
Identify the coordinates of the point where the terminal side of the angle \( \theta \) intersects the unit circle. Since the circle has radius 1, these coordinates are \( (x, y) \) with \( x^2 + y^2 = 1 \).
Recall the definitions of the six circular (trigonometric) functions in terms of \( x \) and \( y \) on the unit circle: - \( \sin(\theta) = y \) - \( \cos(\theta) = x \) - \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{y}{x} \) (provided \( x \neq 0 \)) - \( \csc(\theta) = \frac{1}{y} \) (provided \( y \neq 0 \)) - \( \sec(\theta) = \frac{1}{x} \) (provided \( x \neq 0 \)) - \( \cot(\theta) = \frac{x}{y} \) (provided \( y \neq 0 \))
Substitute the \( x \) and \( y \) values from the point on the unit circle into each of the six function formulas to find their values.
Check the quadrant in which the terminal side of \( \theta \) lies to determine the signs (positive or negative) of each function value, since the signs depend on the quadrant.
Write down the six values clearly, ensuring to note any undefined functions if division by zero occurs (for example, if \( x = 0 \) or \( y = 0 \)).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Unit Circle and Standard Position

The unit circle is a circle with radius 1 centered at the origin of the coordinate plane. An angle in standard position has its vertex at the origin and its initial side along the positive x-axis. The terminal side intersects the unit circle at a point whose coordinates correspond to cosine and sine values of the angle.
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Circular Functions (Trigonometric Functions)

The six circular functions are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent. For an angle θ on the unit circle, sine and cosine are the y- and x-coordinates of the intersection point, respectively. Tangent is sine divided by cosine, while cosecant, secant, and cotangent are their respective reciprocals.
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Evaluating Trigonometric Functions from Coordinates

To find the six circular function values, use the coordinates (x, y) of the terminal side's intersection with the unit circle: sin(θ) = y, cos(θ) = x, tan(θ) = y/x. The reciprocal functions are csc(θ) = 1/y, sec(θ) = 1/x, and cot(θ) = x/y, provided the denominators are not zero.
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