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Ch. 1 - Trigonometric Functions
Lial - Trigonometry 12th Edition
Lial12th EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780136552161Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 2, Problem 43

Identify the quadrant (or possible quadrants) of an angle θ that satisfies the given conditions. See Example 3.
tan θ < 0 , cos θ < 0

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1
Recall the signs of tangent and cosine functions in each quadrant: - Quadrant I: tan > 0, cos > 0 - Quadrant II: tan < 0, cos < 0 - Quadrant III: tan > 0, cos < 0 - Quadrant IV: tan < 0, cos > 0
Analyze the condition tan \(\theta\) < 0. This means the angle \(\theta\) must lie in a quadrant where tangent is negative, which are Quadrants II and IV.
Analyze the condition cos \(\theta\) < 0. This means the angle \(\theta\) must lie in a quadrant where cosine is negative, which are Quadrants II and III.
Find the intersection of the two sets of quadrants from the above conditions: - tan \(\theta\) < 0 gives Quadrants II and IV - cos \(\theta\) < 0 gives Quadrants II and III The common quadrant is Quadrant II.
Conclude that the angle \(\theta\) satisfying both tan \(\theta\) < 0 and cos \(\theta\) < 0 lies in Quadrant II.

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Key Concepts

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

Signs of Trigonometric Functions in Quadrants

The signs of sine, cosine, and tangent functions vary depending on the quadrant of the angle. For example, cosine is positive in the first and fourth quadrants, while tangent is positive in the first and third quadrants. Understanding these sign patterns helps determine the possible quadrants for a given angle.
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Relationship Between Tangent and Sine/Cosine

Tangent of an angle is defined as the ratio of sine to cosine (tan θ = sin θ / cos θ). The sign of tangent depends on the signs of sine and cosine, so knowing the sign of tangent and cosine allows inference about the sine sign and thus the quadrant.
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Sine, Cosine, & Tangent of 30°, 45°, & 60°

Quadrant Identification Using Inequalities

Given inequalities like tan θ < 0 and cos θ < 0, one can use the known sign patterns of trig functions in each quadrant to identify which quadrants satisfy both conditions simultaneously. This method involves matching the signs to the correct quadrant(s).
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Quadratic Formula