Math Problem Statement

Find the exact value of tangent, start fraction, pi, divided by, 3, end fractiontan 3 π ​ , expressing your answer with a rational denominator.

Solution

To find the exact value of tan(π3)\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right), we proceed as follows:


Step 1: Recall the tangent value for π3\frac{\pi}{3}

The angle π3\frac{\pi}{3} is one of the standard angles on the unit circle. From trigonometric tables or the properties of the 30-60-90 triangle:

tan(π3)=3.\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \sqrt{3}.


Step 2: Express the result with a rational denominator

Since the result 3\sqrt{3} is not in rational form, we express it with a rational denominator:

  1. To write 3\sqrt{3} as a fraction, we multiply by 33\frac{\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} (rationalizing the denominator):

3=333=33.\sqrt{3} = \frac{\sqrt{3} \cdot \sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{3}{\sqrt{3}}.

Thus:

tan(π3)=31(already simplified).\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{1} \quad \text{(already simplified).}


Final Answer:

The exact value of tan(π3)\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) is:

3\boxed{\sqrt{3}}


Additional Explanation:

If you want to see this value derived from the sine and cosine of π3\frac{\pi}{3}:

  1. The sine and cosine values for π3\frac{\pi}{3} are:

sin(π3)=32,cos(π3)=12.\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \quad \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{1}{2}.

  1. The tangent is the ratio of sine to cosine:

tan(π3)=sin(π3)cos(π3)=3212.\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sin\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)}{\cos\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right)} = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}}{\frac{1}{2}}.

Simplify:

tan(π3)=3221=3.\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{3}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \frac{2}{1} = \sqrt{3}.


Do you want a deeper explanation of this derivation? Let me know!


Related Questions:

  1. What is the exact value of tan(π4)\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right)?
  2. Find tan(π6)\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right) and express it with a rational denominator.
  3. Derive the values of sine and cosine for π3\frac{\pi}{3} from the unit circle.
  4. Prove that tan(θ)=sinθcosθ\tan\left(\theta\right) = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} for any angle θ\theta.
  5. Determine tan(5π6)\tan\left(\frac{5\pi}{6}\right) using symmetry properties of the unit circle.

Tip:

When working with trigonometric functions, always reference the unit circle and standard triangles (30-60-90 and 45-45-90) for exact values.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Tangent Function
Unit Circle
Rationalizing Denominators

Formulas

tan(θ) = sin(θ) / cos(θ)
tan(π/3) = √3

Theorems

Tangent function properties
Rationalizing denominators

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12