Skip to main content
Ch. 5 - Trigonometric Identities
Lial - Trigonometry 12th Edition
Lial12th EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780136552161Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 32

Use identities to fill in each blank with the appropriate trigonometric function name.
sin 2π/3 = _____ (- π/6)

Verified step by step guidance
1
Recognize that the problem asks to express \( \sin \frac{2\pi}{3} \) using a trigonometric identity involving \( -\frac{\pi}{6} \).
Recall the sine difference identity: \( \sin(a - b) = \sin a \cos b - \cos a \sin b \).
Set \( a = \pi \) and \( b = \frac{\pi}{6} \) so that \( a - b = \pi - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{5\pi}{6} \), which is equivalent to \( \frac{2\pi}{3} \) after simplification or by considering angle equivalences.
Use the identity to write \( \sin \left( \pi - \frac{\pi}{6} \right) = \sin \pi \cos \frac{\pi}{6} - \cos \pi \sin \frac{\pi}{6} \).
Identify the trigonometric functions in the expression and fill in the blanks accordingly, noting the signs and values of sine and cosine at these standard angles.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

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

Trigonometric Angle Identities

These identities relate the values of trigonometric functions at different angles, often involving sums, differences, or multiples of angles. They allow simplification or transformation of expressions, such as expressing sin(2π/3) in terms of angles like π/6.
Recommended video:
05:06
Double Angle Identities

Reference Angles and Quadrants

Understanding the reference angle and the quadrant in which an angle lies helps determine the sign and value of trigonometric functions. For example, 2π/3 is in the second quadrant, where sine is positive and cosine is negative.
Recommended video:
5:31
Reference Angles on the Unit Circle

Co-function and Negative Angle Identities

Co-function identities relate sine and cosine of complementary angles, while negative angle identities express functions of negative angles in terms of positive angles, e.g., sin(-θ) = -sin(θ). These are useful for rewriting expressions involving negative angles.
Recommended video:
05:06
Double Angle Identities