Find the coordinates of the point on the unit circle at an angle of 240 degrees
First, we convert 240 degrees to radians since the unit circle is often used with radians. The conversion factor is $\pi$ radians = 180 degrees.
Thus, $$240^\circ = \frac{240 \cdot \pi}{180} = \frac{4\pi}{3} \text{ radians}$$
Next, we find the coordinates of the point on the unit circle at an angle of $\frac{4\pi}{3}$ radians. By using the $\cos$ and $\sin$ functions:
$$x = \cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{3}\right)$$
$$y = \sin\left(\frac{4\pi}{3}\right)$$
Since $\frac{4\pi}{3}$ is in the third quadrant, where both cosine and sine are negative:
$$\cos\left(\frac{4\pi}{3}\right) = -\frac{1}{2}$$
$$\sin\left(\frac{4\pi}{3}\right) = -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$$
Therefore, the coordinates are:
$$\boxed{\left(-\frac{1}{2}, -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)}$$