Math Problem Statement

Blake is told that an angle has a cosine of −1/√6 and is in Quadrant III. Use the Pythagorean identity sin^2(θ)+cos^2(θ)=1, the trigonometric identity tanθ=sinθ/cosθ, and the quadrant to find the tangent.

Solution

We are tasked to find the tangent of an angle θ\theta given that cos(θ)=16\cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}} and the angle lies in Quadrant III.


Step 1: Use the Pythagorean Identity to Find sin(θ)\sin(\theta)

The Pythagorean identity is:

sin2(θ)+cos2(θ)=1.\sin^2(\theta) + \cos^2(\theta) = 1.

Substitute cos(θ)=16\cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}:

sin2(θ)+(16)2=1.\sin^2(\theta) + \left(-\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}\right)^2 = 1.

Simplify:

sin2(θ)+16=1.\sin^2(\theta) + \frac{1}{6} = 1.

sin2(θ)=116.\sin^2(\theta) = 1 - \frac{1}{6}.

sin2(θ)=6616=56.\sin^2(\theta) = \frac{6}{6} - \frac{1}{6} = \frac{5}{6}.

Thus:

sin(θ)=±56.\sin(\theta) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{5}{6}}.


Step 2: Determine the Sign of sin(θ)\sin(\theta)

In Quadrant III, both sine and cosine are negative. Therefore:

sin(θ)=56.\sin(\theta) = -\sqrt{\frac{5}{6}}.


Step 3: Use the Definition of Tangent

The tangent of an angle is defined as:

tan(θ)=sin(θ)cos(θ).\tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}.

Substitute sin(θ)=56\sin(\theta) = -\sqrt{\frac{5}{6}} and cos(θ)=16\cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}:

tan(θ)=5616.\tan(\theta) = \frac{-\sqrt{\frac{5}{6}}}{-\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}}.

Simplify the signs:

tan(θ)=5616.\tan(\theta) = \frac{\sqrt{\frac{5}{6}}}{\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}}.

Simplify the fraction:

tan(θ)=566.\tan(\theta) = \sqrt{\frac{5}{6}} \cdot \sqrt{6}.

tan(θ)=5.\tan(\theta) = \sqrt{5}.


Final Answer:

tan(θ)=5.\tan(\theta) = \sqrt{5}.


Do you have any questions, or would you like a detailed explanation of any step? Here are five related questions for further exploration:

  1. How do the signs of trigonometric functions vary across the four quadrants?
  2. Can you use the reciprocal identities (secant, cosecant) to verify the values found here?
  3. What would the tangent be if θ\theta were in Quadrant II instead?
  4. How is the unit circle related to the Pythagorean identity?
  5. How does knowing the value of tan(θ)\tan(\theta) help in solving triangles?

Tip: Always determine the signs of sine and cosine using the quadrant information to ensure the correct value of the tangent!

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Pythagorean Identity
Quadrants and Signs of Trigonometric Functions

Formulas

Pythagorean identity: sin^2(θ) + cos^2(θ) = 1
Definition of tangent: tan(θ) = sin(θ)/cos(θ)

Theorems

Pythagorean identity
Sign rules for trigonometric functions in different quadrants

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12