Home > Resources > Homework > Math > Unit Circle

Find the value of $ an(-frac{pi}{6})$ using the unit circle.

Answer 1

Abigail Nelson

Benjamin Clark

We start by recognizing that the angle $-\frac{\pi}{6}$ is equivalent to rotating $\frac{\pi}{6}$ radians in the clockwise direction.

On the unit circle, the point corresponding to $\frac{\pi}{6}$ radians is $(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \frac{1}{2})$. When we rotate in the clockwise direction to $-\frac{\pi}{6}$, the coordinates of the point become $(\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, -\frac{1}{2})$.

The tangent of an angle is given by the ratio of the y-coordinate to the x-coordinate:

$\tan(-\frac{\pi}{6}) = \frac{-\frac{1}{2}}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}.$

So, the value of $\tan(-\frac{\pi}{6})$ is $-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3}$.

Answer 2

Alex Thompson

Christopher Garcia

To find the value of $ an(-frac{pi}{6})$ using the unit circle, we note that $-frac{pi}{6}$ radians corresponds to a 30-degree rotation clockwise.

On the unit circle, the coordinates for $frac{pi}{6}$ are $(frac{sqrt{3}}{2}, frac{1}{2})$. Rotating clockwise to $-frac{pi}{6}$, the coordinates change to $(frac{sqrt{3}}{2}, -frac{1}{2})$. The tangent function is given as:

$ an(-frac{pi}{6}) = frac{-frac{1}{2}}{frac{sqrt{3}}{2}} = -frac{1}{sqrt{3}}.$

Rationalizing the denominator, we get:

$ an(-frac{pi}{6}) = -frac{1}{sqrt{3}} imes frac{sqrt{3}}{sqrt{3}} = -frac{sqrt{3}}{3}.$

Thus, $ an(-frac{pi}{6})$ is $-frac{sqrt{3}}{3}$.

Answer 3

Amelia Mitchell

Thomas Walker

To find $ an(-frac{pi}{6})$ using the unit circle, recognize that it corresponds to $(frac{sqrt{3}}{2}, -frac{1}{2})$.

Then:

$ an(-frac{pi}{6}) = frac{-frac{1}{2}}{frac{sqrt{3}}{2}} = -frac{1}{sqrt{3}} = -frac{sqrt{3}}{3}.$

So, $ an(-frac{pi}{6}) = -frac{sqrt{3}}{3}$.