Recalling the Definition of Secant Function

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 12 views

Understanding the Problem

The problem requires finding the exact value of the secant function at an angle of $-135^{\circ}$ . To solve this, we need to recall the definition of the secant function and its relationship with the cosine function.

Recalling the Definition of Secant Function

The secant function is defined as the reciprocal of the cosine function. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta}

Using the Unit Circle to Find the Value

To find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ , we can use the unit circle to determine the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ . The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1 centered at the origin of the coordinate plane.

Finding the Value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$

Using the unit circle, we can find the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ . Since the angle $-135^{\circ}$ is in the third quadrant, the cosine value will be negative.

Determining the Reference Angle

To find the reference angle, we can add $180^{\circ}$ to the given angle. The reference angle for $-135^{\circ}$ is $45^{\circ}$ .

Finding the Value of $\cos \left(45^{\circ}\right)$

Using the unit circle, we can find the value of $\cos \left(45^{\circ}\right)$ . The cosine value of $45^{\circ}$ is $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Finding the Value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$

Since the angle $-135^{\circ}$ is in the third quadrant, the cosine value will be negative. Therefore, the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ is $-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Finding the Value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$

Now that we have the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ , we can find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ . Using the definition of the secant function, we can express it as:

\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right) = \frac{1}{\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)} = \frac{1}{-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} = -\sqrt{2}

Conclusion

In conclusion, the exact value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ is $-\sqrt{2}$ .

Answer

The correct answer is B. $-\sqrt{2}$ .

Additional Tips and Tricks

When working with trigonometric functions, it's essential to recall the definitions and relationships between the functions.
The unit circle is a powerful tool for finding the values of trigonometric functions.
When dealing with negative angles, it's crucial to determine the reference angle and use it to find the value of the trigonometric function.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to recall the definition of the secant function and its relationship with the cosine function.
Not using the unit circle to find the value of the cosine function.
Not determining the reference angle when dealing with negative angles.

Real-World Applications

Trigonometric functions have numerous real-world applications, including physics, engineering, and navigation.
Understanding the values of trigonometric functions is essential for solving problems in these fields.

Practice Problems

Find the exact value of $\sec \left(225^{\circ}\right)$ .
Find the exact value of $\sec \left(-45^{\circ}\right)$ .

Solutions

$\sec \left(225^{\circ}\right) = -\sqrt{2}$
$\sec \left(-45^{\circ}\right) = -\sqrt{2}$

Q: What is the definition of the secant function?

A: The secant function is defined as the reciprocal of the cosine function. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta}

Q: How do I find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: To find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ , you need to recall the definition of the secant function and use the unit circle to find the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ . Then, you can use the definition of the secant function to find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ .

Q: What is the reference angle for $-135^{\circ}$ ?

A: The reference angle for $-135^{\circ}$ is $45^{\circ}$ .

Q: What is the value of $\cos \left(45^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: The value of $\cos \left(45^{\circ}\right)$ is $\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Q: What is the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: Since the angle $-135^{\circ}$ is in the third quadrant, the cosine value will be negative. Therefore, the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ is $-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}$ .

Q: How do I find the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ using the value of $\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: Using the definition of the secant function, you can express it as:

\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right) = \frac{1}{\cos \left(-135^{\circ}\right)} = \frac{1}{-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = -\frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} = -\sqrt{2}

Q: What is the exact value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: The exact value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ is $-\sqrt{2}$ .

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when finding the value of $\sec \left(-135^{\circ}\right)$ ?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid include:

Failing to recall the definition of the secant function and its relationship with the cosine function.
Not using the unit circle to find the value of the cosine function.
Not determining the reference angle when dealing with negative angles.

Q: What are some real-world applications of trigonometric functions?

A: Trigonometric functions have numerous real-world applications, including physics, engineering, and navigation. Understanding the values of trigonometric functions is essential for solving problems in these fields.

Q: How can I practice finding the values of trigonometric functions?

A: You can practice finding the values of trigonometric functions by working through problems and exercises, such as finding the exact value of $\sec \left(225^{\circ}\right)$ or $\sec \left(-45^{\circ}\right)$ .