Use reference angles to find the exact value of each expression. Do not use a calculator. sec 495Β°
Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 45m
- 1. Measuring Angles40m
- 2. Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles2h 5m
- 3. Unit Circle1h 19m
- 4. Graphing Trigonometric Functions1h 19m
- 5. Inverse Trigonometric Functions and Basic Trigonometric Equations1h 41m
- 6. Trigonometric Identities and More Equations2h 34m
- 7. Non-Right Triangles1h 38m
- 8. Vectors2h 25m
- 9. Polar Equations2h 5m
- 10. Parametric Equations1h 6m
- 11. Graphing Complex Numbers1h 7m
3. Unit Circle
Reference Angles
Problem 87
Textbook Question
In Exercises 87β92, find the exact value of each expression. Write the answer as a single fraction. Do not use a calculator. sin π/3 cos π - cos π/3 sin 3π/2
Verified step by step guidance1
Recognize that the expression is of the form \(\sin A \cos B - \cos A \sin B\), which matches the sine difference identity: \(\sin(A - B) = \sin A \cos B - \cos A \sin B\).
Identify the angles in the expression: \(A = \frac{\pi}{3}\) and \(B = \frac{2\pi}{3}\), so the expression simplifies to \(\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3} - \frac{2\pi}{3}\right)\).
Calculate the difference inside the sine function: \(\frac{\pi}{3} - \frac{2\pi}{3} = -\frac{\pi}{3}\).
Use the odd property of sine: \(\sin(-\theta) = -\sin \theta\), so \(\sin\left(-\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = -\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)\).
Recall the exact value of \(\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)\), which is \(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\), and write the final expression as a single fraction using this value.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Unit Circle and Special Angles
The unit circle helps determine exact values of sine and cosine for special angles like Ο/3 and 2Ο/3. These angles correspond to well-known coordinates on the circle, allowing evaluation without a calculator.
Recommended video:
Introduction to the Unit Circle
Trigonometric Identities and Angle Multiplication
Understanding how to manipulate trigonometric expressions involving multiples of Ο is essential. Recognizing that sine and cosine values repeat or change sign at specific intervals aids in simplifying expressions.
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Double Angle Identities
Algebraic Simplification of Trigonometric Expressions
After substituting exact trigonometric values, combining terms into a single fraction requires careful algebraic manipulation. This includes factoring, common denominators, and simplifying radicals to express the answer neatly.
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Simplifying Trig Expressions
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