Solve for the exact values of all angles θ in the interval [0, 2π) that satisfy cos(θ) = -1/2
To find the exact values of all angles $ \theta $ in the interval $ [0, 2\pi) $ that satisfy $ \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} $, we use the unit circle. The cosine value of $ -\frac{1}{2} $ corresponds to angles in the second and third quadrants. The reference angle is $ \frac{\pi}{3} $.
The angles are:
- In the second quadrant: $ \pi – \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{2\pi}{3} $
- In the third quadrant: $ \pi + \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{4\pi}{3} $
Thus, the solutions are:
$$ \theta = \frac{2\pi}{3}, \frac{4\pi}{3} $$