Math Problem Statement

Use the (x, y) coordinates in the figure to find the value of the trigonometric function at the indicated real number, t, or state that the expression is undefined.

Solution

Let's break down the problem you're working on.

The question involves finding the value of sin(5π3)\sin \left( \frac{5\pi}{3} \right) using the unit circle.

To find this, we can follow these steps:

  1. Locate the angle: The angle 5π3\frac{5\pi}{3} is in radians. We know 2π2\pi is a full rotation, so 5π3\frac{5\pi}{3} is just shy of a full rotation, falling in the fourth quadrant.

  2. Reference angle: The reference angle is the acute angle formed with the x-axis. To find it, subtract 5π3\frac{5\pi}{3} from 2π2\pi: 2π5π3=6π35π3=π32\pi - \frac{5\pi}{3} = \frac{6\pi}{3} - \frac{5\pi}{3} = \frac{\pi}{3} The reference angle is π3\frac{\pi}{3}.

  3. Sine in the fourth quadrant: In the fourth quadrant, sine values are negative. The sine of π3\frac{\pi}{3} is 32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, so: sin(5π3)=32\sin \left( \frac{5\pi}{3} \right) = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}

Thus, the answer is 32-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, which corresponds to option A.

Would you like to explore more about the unit circle or other trigonometric functions? Here are a few related questions:

  1. How do you find the cosine of an angle using the unit circle?
  2. What are the sine and cosine values for angles like π6\frac{\pi}{6} or π4\frac{\pi}{4}?
  3. How can you convert between radians and degrees?
  4. What is the significance of reference angles in trigonometry?
  5. How does the sign of trigonometric functions change in different quadrants?

Tip: Always remember the signs of trigonometric functions in each quadrant. In the first quadrant, both sine and cosine are positive, in the second quadrant, sine is positive and cosine is negative, in the third quadrant, both are negative, and in the fourth quadrant, sine is negative while cosine is positive.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Unit Circle
Sine Function
Radian Measure

Formulas

sin(θ) = y-coordinate of the point on the unit circle at angle θ

Theorems

Unit Circle Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12