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Find the exact value of the indicated trigonometric function of \( \theta \). \[ \begin{array}{l}\text { 11) } \sin \theta=\frac{1}{2}, \sec \theta<0 \\ \text { and } \tan \theta\end{array} \]

Ask by Little Luna. in the United States
Feb 26,2025

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Answer

tan θ = −(√3)/3

Solution

We are given sin θ = 1/2 and the condition sec θ < 0. Recall that sec θ = 1/cos θ, so the inequality tells us that cos θ must be negative. Step 1. Identify the quadrant. Since sin θ = 1/2 is positive and cos θ is negative, θ must be in the second quadrant. Step 2. Find cos θ. Use the Pythagorean identity:   sin²θ + cos²θ = 1. Substitute sin θ = 1/2:   (1/2)² + cos²θ = 1  ⟹  1/4 + cos²θ = 1. Solve for cos²θ:   cos²θ = 1 − 1/4 = 3/4. Since θ is in the second quadrant, cos θ is negative. Thus,   cos θ = −√(3/4) = −(√3)/2. Step 3. Compute tan θ. Use the definition of tangent:   tan θ = sin θ/cos θ = (1/2)/(−(√3)/2) = −1/√3. To rationalize the denominator:   tan θ = −(√3)/3. Thus, the exact value of tan θ is −(√3)/3.

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To find the value of \(\tan \theta\) given that \(\sin \theta = \frac{1}{2}\) and \(\sec \theta < 0\), we start by identifying the possible quadrant for \(\theta\). Since \(\sin \theta\) is positive and \(\sec \theta\) (which is the reciprocal of \(\cos \theta\)) is negative, it indicates that \(\theta\) is in the second quadrant. In the second quadrant, we know that \(\sin \theta = \frac{1}{2}\) corresponds to an angle of \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) (or \(30^\circ\)), but in the second quadrant, the reference angle would be \(\theta = \pi - \frac{\pi}{6} = \frac{5\pi}{6}\). To find \(\tan \theta\), we use the identity \(\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}\). Since \(\sin \theta = \frac{1}{2}\), we can find \(\cos \theta\) using the Pythagorean identity: \[ \sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1 \] \[ \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 + \cos^2 \theta = 1 \] \[ \frac{1}{4} + \cos^2 \theta = 1 \] \[ \cos^2 \theta = 1 - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{3}{4} \] So, \(\cos \theta = -\sqrt{\frac{3}{4}} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\) (since \(\sec \theta < 0\) implies \(\cos \theta < 0\)). Now, we can compute \(\tan \theta\): \[ \tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}}{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} \] Thus, the exact value of \(\tan \theta\) is \[ \boxed{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}}. \]

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