A quadrantal angle is an angle whose terminal side lies on the x or y -axis. The unit circle below illustrates the quadrantal angles that lie on the range [0^\circ, 360^\circ).

We can identify four points on the unit circle above,

(1,0), \quad (0,1), \quad (-1,0), \quad (0,-1),

that correspond to the angles

0^\circ, \quad 90^\circ,\quad 180^\circ, \quad 270^\circ,

in degrees, or

0, \quad \dfrac{\pi}{2}, \quad \pi, \quad \dfrac{3\pi}{2},

in radians.

We can use these points to find cosine and sine of quadrantal angles. First, recall that a point (x,y) on the unit circle is related to the central angle \theta using the following formulas:

x = \cos\theta, \qquad y = \sin\theta

For example, if we are asked to find the value of \cos(\pi), then we just look at the \color{blue}x -coordinate of the corresponding point. The point is ({\color{blue}{-1}},0), and therefore, we get

\cos(\pi)={\color{blue}{-1}}.

FLAG

Find the value of \sin{270^\circ}.

EXPLANATION

The angle 270^\circ is a quadrantal angle. Let's draw out the quadrantal angles on the unit circle.

From the unit circle, we see that the angle 270^\circ corresponds to the point (0,-1).

Since the sine of the angle corresponds to the y -coordinate, we have \sin{270^\circ} = -1.

FLAG

$\sin (90^\circ) =$

a
b
c
d
e

Find the value of $\cos (0^\circ) + \sin (270^\circ).$

a
$2$
b
$0$
c
Undefined
d
$1$
e
$-2$

Find the value of \tan\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right).

EXPLANATION

The angle \dfrac{3\pi}{2} is a quadrantal angle. Let's draw out the quadrantal angles on the unit circle.

From the unit circle, we see that the angle \dfrac{3\pi}{2} corresponds to the point (0,-1).

  • Since the cosine of the angle corresponds to the x -coordinate, we have \cos\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right) = 0.

  • Since the sine of the angle corresponds to the y -coordinate, we have \sin\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right) = -1.

Therefore, using the fact that \tan{\theta} = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos\theta}, we have

\tan\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right) = \dfrac{\sin\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right)}{\cos\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right)} = \dfrac{-1}{0}.

However, division by zero is undefined. Therefore, \tan\left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right) is undefined.

FLAG

Find the value of $\tan (180^\circ).$

a
b
c
d
e

Find the value of $\tan (180^\circ) + \cot({90^\circ}).$

a
b
c
d
e

Find the value of $\tan \left( \dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right).$

a
$0$
b
Undefined
c
$1$
d
$-1$
e
$\pi$

Find the value of \csc \left(0\right).

EXPLANATION

The angle 0 is a quadrantal angle. Let's draw out the quadrantal angles on the unit circle.

From the unit circle, we see that the angle 0 corresponds to the point (1,0).

Since the sine of the angle corresponds to the y -coordinate, we have \sin{\left(0\right)} = 0.

Therefore, using the fact that \csc{\theta} = \dfrac{1}{\sin\theta}, we have

\csc{\left(0\right)} = \dfrac{1}{\sin{\left(0\right)}} = \dfrac{1}{0}.

However, division by zero is undefined. Therefore, \csc\left(0\right) is undefined.

FLAG

Find the value of $\csc \left(\dfrac{3\pi}{2}\right) .$

a
$-1$
b
$1$
c
$-2$
d
$2$
e
$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\sec(0^\circ) + \csc(90^\circ) = $

a
b
c
d
e
Flag Content
Did you notice an error, or do you simply believe that something could be improved? Please explain below.
SUBMIT
CANCEL