The figure shows a terminal ray of an angle measuring …

Mathematics Questions

The figure shows a terminal ray of an angle measuring 0 in standard position intersecting the unit circle at point P in the xy-plane. As the angle increases from 0 to 2œA, can you graph the displacement of point P from the x-axis as a function of the angle? Additionally, if angle A measures 2œA radians, what is the x-coordinate of point P?

Short Answer

The unit circle, centered at the origin with a radius of 1, is crucial for understanding trigonometric functions, particularly the sine function. When sketching the sine function, plot angles from 0 to 2œA along the x-axis and mark corresponding y-values, showing the patterns as the terminal ray rotates. After a full rotation, the x-coordinate remains constant at 1, illustrating the horizontal distance on the unit circle.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand the Unit Circle

The unit circle is a circle with a radius of 1, centered at the origin (0,0) of the xy-plane. It’s essential in trigonometry as it helps visualize angles and their corresponding coordinates. When observing the rotation of a terminal ray, remember that it rotates counterclockwise from the positive x-axis and represents angles in radians.

Step 2: Sketch the Coordinates

To sketch the graph of the sine function using the unit circle, label your axes. Ensure to include angles ranging from 0 to 2‚àöe¬¨A on the x-axis and values from -1 to 1 on the y-axis. As you plot the terminal ray’s movement:

  • From 0 to ‚àöe¬¨A/2, the ray moves upward, increasing the y-coordinate from 0 to 1.
  • From ‚àöe¬¨A/2 to ‚àöe¬¨A, the ray descends, decreasing the y-coordinate back to 0.
  • Continue this pattern for the third and fourth quadrants, completing a full wave pattern.

Step 3: Determine the X-coordinate

After a full rotation of 2√e¬A radians, the terminal ray returns to the same point as when √e¬∏ = 0, which is on the positive x-axis. Since this is a full circle, the x-coordinate at this position is consistently 1, representing the horizontal distance of point P from the origin on the unit circle.

Related Concepts

Unit Circle

Defining a circle with a radius of 1 centered at the origin (0,0) in the xy-plane, essential for visualizing angles and their coordinates in trigonometry

Angle In Radians

A measure of rotation that represents the angle based on the radius of a circle, often used in trigonometric functions

Terminal Ray

A line that rotates from the positive x-axis to form angles with the x-axis, critical for determining coordinates on the unit circle as it moves through different quadrants.

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