Use reference angles to find the exact value of the following expression. \( \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6} \) Select the correct choice below and, if necessary, fill in the answer box to gomplete your choice. A. \( \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6}=\square \) (Simplify your answer. Type an exact answer, using radicals as needed. Use integers or fractions the denominator.)
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The Deep Dive
To find \( \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6} \), we first determine the reference angle. The angle \( \frac{7 \pi}{6} \) is located in the third quadrant, where cosine values are negative. The reference angle can be found by subtracting \( \pi \) from \( \frac{7 \pi}{6} \): \[ \text{Reference angle} = \frac{7 \pi}{6} - \pi = \frac{7\pi}{6} - \frac{6\pi}{6} = \frac{\pi}{6}. \] Now, we can use the cosine of the reference angle: \[ \cos \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}. \] Since we are in the third quadrant where cosine is negative: \[ \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}. \] So, the answer is: A. \( \cos \frac{7 \pi}{6} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \).