Find the angle θ in the unit circle where cos(θ) = -1/2
First, recall that cosine represents the x-coordinate on the unit circle.
The cosine of $ \theta $ equals $ -\frac{1}{2} $ at the angles $ \theta = \frac{2\pi}{3} $ and $ \theta = \frac{4\pi}{3} $ in radians.
We can find these angles by considering the unit circle symmetry: for $ \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} $:
$$ \theta = \pi – \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{2\pi}{3} $$
and
$$ \theta = \pi + \frac{\pi}{3} = \frac{4\pi}{3} $$
Therefore, the angle $ \theta $ where $ \cos(\theta) = -\frac{1}{2} $ is $ \frac{2\pi}{3} $ and $ \frac{4\pi}{3} $ radians.