For each expression, identify which coterminal angle to use & determine the exact value of the expression.
Table of contents
- 0. Review of College Algebra4h 43m
- 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
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Identify what angle, θ , satisfies the following conditions.
sinθ=21; tanθ < 0
A
30°
B
150°
C
60°
D
300°

1
Recognize that the equation \( \sin \theta = \frac{1}{2} \) suggests that \( \theta \) could be one of the standard angles where the sine value is \( \frac{1}{2} \). These angles are typically 30° and 150° in the unit circle.
Recall that the sine function is positive in the first and second quadrants. Therefore, the angles 30° and 150° both satisfy \( \sin \theta = \frac{1}{2} \).
Consider the additional condition \( \tan \theta < 0 \). The tangent function is negative in the second and fourth quadrants.
Since 30° is in the first quadrant where tangent is positive, it does not satisfy \( \tan \theta < 0 \).
150° is in the second quadrant where tangent is negative, thus satisfying both conditions \( \sin \theta = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( \tan \theta < 0 \). Therefore, \( \theta = 150° \) is the correct angle.
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