Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Select the expression with the same value as the given expression. sec(−54π)
A
cos(54π)
B
−cos(54π)
C
sec(54π)
D
−sec(54π)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the secant function, \( \sec(x) \), is the reciprocal of the cosine function, \( \cos(x) \). Therefore, \( \sec(x) = \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \).
Recognize that the secant function is an even function, meaning \( \sec(-x) = \sec(x) \). This property will help simplify \( \sec\left(-\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) to \( \sec\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \).
Evaluate the cosine function at \( \frac{4\pi}{5} \). Since \( \cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) is the cosine of an angle in the second quadrant, it will be negative.
Use the reciprocal identity to find \( \sec\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) from \( \cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \). Since \( \cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) is negative, \( \sec\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) will also be negative.
Compare the expressions: \( \sec\left(-\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) simplifies to \( \sec\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \), which matches the expression \( -\sec\left(\frac{4\pi}{5}\right) \) when considering the negative sign from the cosine function in the second quadrant.