SOLUTION: tan 5pi/3 and i need to determine the exact value of the expression without a calculator. I know how to work with the circle but i dont understand what to do if its not in one of

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: tan 5pi/3 and i need to determine the exact value of the expression without a calculator. I know how to work with the circle but i dont understand what to do if its not in one of       Log On


   

Question 482014: tan 5pi/3 and i need to determine the exact value of the expression without a calculator. I know how to work with the circle but i dont understand what to do if its not in one of the main angles. How am i supposed to find the answer?
tan 5pi/3 is tan300 but its not a main angle what do I do?
Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
5pi/3 does correspond to a main angle. And you can do it with only the unit circle.

First locate 5pi/3 on the unit circle. The x-coordinate of that point (you determine this using the special right triangle) is the cosine of that angle, and the y-coordinate is the sine of that angle. Since tangent of an angle is defined as the sine over the cosine, you can find tan(5pi/3).