The Unit Circle and Angles in Standard Position

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 108 views

Introduction

In trigonometry, the unit circle is a fundamental concept that plays a crucial role in understanding various mathematical relationships. The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin of a coordinate plane. In this article, we will explore the terminal side of an angle in standard position and its intersection with the unit circle. We will use this information to find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ , where $\theta$ is the angle in standard position.

The Unit Circle and Angles in Standard Position

An angle in standard position is an angle whose vertex is at the origin of a coordinate plane and whose initial side lies along the positive x-axis. The terminal side of an angle in standard position is the side that does not contain the vertex. When the terminal side of an angle in standard position intersects the unit circle, it forms a right triangle with the x-axis and the y-axis.

The Coordinates of the Intersection Point

The terminal side of an angle in standard position intersects the unit circle at the point $\left(\frac{9}{41}, \frac{40}{41}\right)$ . This point represents the coordinates of the intersection of the terminal side of the angle and the unit circle.

Finding the Value of $\tan (\theta)$

To find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ , we need to use the coordinates of the intersection point. The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle. In this case, the side opposite the angle is the y-coordinate of the intersection point, and the side adjacent to the angle is the x-coordinate of the intersection point.

Using the coordinates of the intersection point, we can write the value of $\tan (\theta)$ as:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{\frac{40}{41}}{\frac{9}{41}}

Simplifying the Expression

To simplify the expression, we can multiply the numerator and denominator by the reciprocal of the denominator:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{\frac{40}{41}}{\frac{9}{41}} = \frac{40}{41} \cdot \frac{41}{9}

Rationalizing the Denominator

To rationalize the denominator, we can multiply the numerator and denominator by the square root of the denominator:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{40}{41} \cdot \frac{41}{9} = \frac{40 \cdot 41}{41 \cdot 9} = \frac{40}{9}

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the terminal side of an angle in standard position and its intersection with the unit circle. We used the coordinates of the intersection point to find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ . By simplifying and rationalizing the expression, we arrived at the final answer of $\frac{40}{9}$ .

The Importance of the Unit Circle

The unit circle is a fundamental concept in trigonometry that plays a crucial role in understanding various mathematical relationships. The unit circle is used to define the trigonometric functions, including sine, cosine, and tangent. The unit circle is also used to solve problems involving right triangles and to find the values of trigonometric functions.

Real-World Applications

The unit circle has numerous real-world applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. For example, the unit circle is used to describe the motion of objects in circular motion, such as the rotation of a wheel or the orbit of a planet. The unit circle is also used to model the behavior of electrical circuits and to solve problems involving wave propagation.

Final Thoughts

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the terminal side of an angle in standard position and its intersection with the unit circle. We used the coordinates of the intersection point to find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ . In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the terminal side of an angle in standard position and its intersection with the unit circle.

Q: What is the terminal side of an angle in standard position?

A: The terminal side of an angle in standard position is the side that does not contain the vertex of the angle. It is the side that extends from the vertex to the point where the angle intersects the unit circle.

Q: What is the unit circle?

A: The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin of a coordinate plane. It is used to define the trigonometric functions, including sine, cosine, and tangent.

Q: How do I find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ using the coordinates of the intersection point?

A: To find the value of $\tan (\theta)$ , you can use the coordinates of the intersection point. The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle. In this case, the side opposite the angle is the y-coordinate of the intersection point, and the side adjacent to the angle is the x-coordinate of the intersection point.

Q: What is the formula for finding the value of $\tan (\theta)$ ?

A: The formula for finding the value of $\tan (\theta)$ is:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{\frac{40}{41}}{\frac{9}{41}}

Q: How do I simplify the expression for $\tan (\theta)$ ?

A: To simplify the expression, you can multiply the numerator and denominator by the reciprocal of the denominator:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{\frac{40}{41}}{\frac{9}{41}} = \frac{40}{41} \cdot \frac{41}{9}

Q: How do I rationalize the denominator of the expression for $\tan (\theta)$ ?

A: To rationalize the denominator, you can multiply the numerator and denominator by the square root of the denominator:

\tan (\theta) = \frac{40}{41} \cdot \frac{41}{9} = \frac{40 \cdot 41}{41 \cdot 9} = \frac{40}{9}

Q: What are some real-world applications of the unit circle?

A: The unit circle has numerous real-world applications in fields such as physics, engineering, and computer science. For example, the unit circle is used to describe the motion of objects in circular motion, such as the rotation of a wheel or the orbit of a planet. The unit circle is also used to model the behavior of electrical circuits and to solve problems involving wave propagation.

Q: Why is the unit circle important in trigonometry?

A: The unit circle is a fundamental concept in trigonometry that plays a crucial role in understanding various mathematical relationships. The unit circle is used to define the trigonometric functions, including sine, cosine, and tangent. The unit circle is also used to solve problems involving right triangles and to find the values of trigonometric functions.

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some frequently asked questions about the terminal side of an angle in standard position and its intersection with the unit circle. We hope that this article has provided you with a better understanding of the unit circle and its importance in trigonometry. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.