Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tangent Function
The tangent function, defined as the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side in a right triangle, is a fundamental trigonometric function. It can also be expressed as tan(θ) = sin(θ)/cos(θ). The tangent function is periodic with a period of 180°, meaning it repeats its values every 180°. Understanding this periodicity is crucial for finding all angles that satisfy a given tangent value.
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Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Inverse trigonometric functions, such as arctan or tan⁻¹, are used to find angles when the value of a trigonometric function is known. For example, if tan(θ) = 0.70020753, then θ can be found using θ = arctan(0.70020753). These functions return angles in a specific range, typically between -90° and 90°, which must be adjusted to find all solutions within the desired interval.
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Angle Solutions in a Given Interval
When solving trigonometric equations, it is essential to find all possible angles that satisfy the equation within a specified interval, such as [0°, 360°). For tangent, since it is periodic, if θ is a solution, then θ + 180° will also be a solution. Therefore, after finding the principal angle using the inverse tangent function, one must check for additional solutions by adding or subtracting the period to ensure all valid angles are identified within the given range.
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