Given that [tex]\tan \theta = -1[/tex], what is the value of [tex]\sec \theta[/tex] for [tex]\frac{3\pi}{2} \ \textless \ \theta \ \textless \ 2\pi[/tex]?

A. [tex]-\sqrt{2}[/tex]
B. [tex]\sqrt{2}[/tex]
C. 0
D. 1



Answer :

Sure, let's go through the detailed steps to find the value of [tex]\(\sec \theta\)[/tex] given that [tex]\(\tan \theta = -1\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\frac{3\pi}{2} < \theta < 2\pi\)[/tex].

Step 1: Identify the Quadrant

Given the range [tex]\(\frac{3\pi}{2} < \theta < 2\pi\)[/tex], we're working with angles in the fourth quadrant (the interval from [tex]\(270^\circ\)[/tex] to [tex]\(360^\circ\)[/tex]).

Step 2: Determine the Angle

Knowing that [tex]\(\tan \theta = -1\)[/tex], we recognize that tangent is negative in the fourth quadrant. The reference angle where [tex]\(\tan = 1\)[/tex] is [tex]\(\frac{\pi}{4}\)[/tex] (or [tex]\(45^\circ\)[/tex]). For [tex]\(\tan \theta = -1\)[/tex] in the fourth quadrant, [tex]\(\theta\)[/tex] must be [tex]\((2\pi - \frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{7\pi}{4}\)[/tex].

So, [tex]\(\theta = \frac{7\pi}{4}\)[/tex].

Step 3: Calculate [tex]\(\sec \theta\)[/tex]

Recall that [tex]\(\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta}\)[/tex].

First, we need to find [tex]\(\cos \theta\)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ \theta = \frac{7\pi}{4} \][/tex]

Since [tex]\(\cos \theta\)[/tex] has the same value as [tex]\(\cos\)[/tex] of its reference angle (but with an appropriate sign for the quadrant), and cosine is positive in the fourth quadrant:

[tex]\[ \cos \left(\frac{7\pi}{4}\right) = \cos \left(2\pi - \frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \cos \left(-\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \cos \left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \][/tex]

Thus,

[tex]\[ \sec \left( \frac{7\pi}{4} \right) = \frac{1}{\cos \left( \frac{7\pi}{4} \right)} = \frac{1}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = \frac{2}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{2} \][/tex]

Therefore, the value of [tex]\(\sec \theta\)[/tex] given that [tex]\(\tan \theta = -1\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\frac{3\pi}{2} < \theta < 2\pi\)[/tex] is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{\sqrt{2}} \][/tex]