Cot is undefined and Sec is negative...

LoveBeachForever · #1 $Old$ January 13th, 2009, 07:39 PM

I have a problem that is telling me to find
$\cos{\theta}$ and $\tan{\theta}$ by using the given information to construct a reference triangle.

It gives me: $\cot{\theta}$ is undefined and $\sec{\theta}$ is negative.

I know because secant is negative that it can only be in quadrants 2 or 3. I do not know what to do from here...thanks!

Prove It · #2 $Old$ January 13th, 2009, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveBeachForever $View Post$

I have a problem that is telling me to find
$\cos{\theta}$ and $\tan{\theta}$ by using the given information to construct a reference triangle.

It gives me: $\cot{\theta}$ is undefined and $\sec{\theta}$ is negative.

I know because secant is negative that it can only be in quadrants 2 or 3. I do not know what to do from here...thanks!

If $\cot{\theta}$ is undefined, then $\sin{\theta} = 0$ .

Since it must be in quadrant 2 or 3 (or in this case, right between), $\theta = \pi$ .