Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Horizontal Tangent Line
A horizontal tangent line to a curve at a point indicates that the slope of the tangent at that point is zero. This occurs when the derivative of the function at that point equals zero. Finding a horizontal tangent involves solving for when the derivative of the function is zero, which helps identify points where the curve has a local maximum or minimum.
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Derivative of Trigonometric Functions
The derivative of a function provides the slope of the tangent line at any point on the curve. For trigonometric functions like cotangent and cosecant, the derivatives are -csc^2(x) and -csc(x)cot(x), respectively. Understanding these derivatives is crucial for finding where the slope of the tangent line is zero, which is necessary for identifying horizontal tangents.
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Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
Critical Points
Critical points of a function occur where its derivative is zero or undefined. These points are potential locations for local maxima, minima, or points of inflection. In the context of finding horizontal tangents, critical points are where the derivative equals zero, indicating a potential horizontal tangent line at those points.
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