Math Problem Statement

Emily was asked to make a cake for a math-themed birthday party. The cake was decorated with mathematical symbols, and the guests were math enthusiasts.

As part of the entertainment, the party organizer set up a math quiz for the guests. One of the questions was about trigonometry, and Emily was asked to help grade the quiz. The question was:

If tan t=7/4 , what is tan(t−π)?

Help Emily find the correct answer to this question.

tan(t−π)=

Solution

To solve tan(tπ)\tan(t - \pi), we can use a trigonometric identity for the tangent function. The identity is:

tan(tπ)=tan(t)\tan(t - \pi) = \tan(t)

This means that the tangent function repeats every π\pi radians, so shifting the argument of the tangent function by π\pi doesn't change its value except for the sign. In other words:

tan(tπ)=tan(t)\tan(t - \pi) = \tan(t)

However, the sign of the tangent changes because of the properties of the tangent function in different quadrants. Specifically:

tan(tπ)=tan(t)(1)\tan(t - \pi) = \tan(t) \cdot (-1)

Given that tan(t)=74\tan(t) = \frac{7}{4}, we can apply this identity:

tan(tπ)=74\tan(t - \pi) = -\frac{7}{4}

Thus, the correct answer is:

tan(tπ)=74\tan(t - \pi) = -\frac{7}{4}

Would you like further clarification on how the tangent function behaves with angles involving π\pi?

Here are 5 related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How does the tangent function behave in different quadrants?
  2. What is the period of the tangent function?
  3. Can you find tan(t+π)\tan(t + \pi) for any value of tt?
  4. What is the relationship between tan(t)\tan(t) and tan(2t)\tan(2t)?
  5. How do other trigonometric functions (like sine and cosine) behave when shifted by π\pi?

Tip: Tangent has a period of π\pi, meaning it repeats every π\pi radians, but the sign alternates depending on the quadrant!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Tangent Function
Periodic Functions

Formulas

tan(t−π) = -tan(t)
Periodicity of tangent function: tan(t + π) = tan(t)

Theorems

Tangent Function Periodicity Theorem
Properties of Trigonometric Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12