Determine the exact values of trigonometric functions at specific angles using the unit circle
To find the exact values of trigonometric functions for $ \theta = \frac{5\pi}{6} $, we first recognize that this angle corresponds to a reference angle of $ \frac{\pi}{6} $ in the second quadrant.
The coordinates of the point on the unit circle at $ \frac{\pi}{6} $ are $ (\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, \frac{1}{2}) $. Since $ \frac{5\pi}{6} $ lies in the second quadrant, the x-coordinate becomes negative:
$$ \cos \left( \frac{5\pi}{6} \right) = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} $$
$$ \sin \left( \frac{5\pi}{6} \right) = \frac{1}{2} $$
$$ \tan \left( \frac{5\pi}{6} \right) = \frac{\sin \left( \frac{5\pi}{6} \right)}{\cos \left( \frac{5\pi}{6} \right)} = \frac{\frac{1}{2}}{-\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{3} $$