Precalculus (6th Edition) Blitzer

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-13446-914-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-13446-914-0

Chapter 4 - Section 4.4 - Trigonometric Functions of Any Angle - Exercise Set - Page 576: 102

Answer

The two values of $\theta $ are $\frac{2\pi }{3}$ and $\frac{4\pi }{3}$.

Work Step by Step

We have the given expression: $\cos \theta =-\frac{1}{2}$. Here, the reference angle is $\frac{\pi }{3}$ and $\theta $ lies in quadrants II or III. Consider: The angle $\theta $ lies in quadrant II. $\begin{align} & \theta =\pi -\frac{\pi }{3} \\ & =\frac{3\pi -\pi }{3} \\ & =\frac{2\pi }{3} \end{align}$ Consider: The angle $\theta $ lies in quadrant IV. $\begin{align} & \theta =\pi +\frac{\pi }{3} \\ & =\frac{3\pi +\pi }{3} \\ & =\frac{4\pi }{3} \end{align}$
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