Find all solutions for cos(theta) = -1/2 in the range [0, 2pi]
To find all solutions for $ \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} $ in the range $ [0, 2\pi] $, we need to determine where the cosine function is -1/2 on the unit circle:
Cosine is negative in the second and third quadrants. The reference angle for $ \cos^{-1}(-\frac{1}{2}) $ is $ \frac{\pi}{3} $.
Therefore, the solutions are:
$ \theta_1 = \pi – \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{2\pi}{3} $
$ \theta_2 = \pi + \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{4\pi}{3} $
Thus, the solutions are $ \theta = \frac{2\pi}{3} $ and $ \theta = \frac{4\pi}{3} $.