On the unit circle, where [tex]$0 \leq \theta \leq 2 \pi$[/tex], when is [tex]$\tan \theta$[/tex] undefined?

A. [tex]\theta=\pi[/tex] and [tex]\theta=2 \pi[/tex]

B. [tex]\sin \theta=\cos \theta[/tex]

C. [tex]\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}[/tex] and [tex]\theta=\frac{3 \pi}{2}[/tex]

D. [tex]\sin \theta=\frac{1}{\cos \theta}[/tex]



Answer :

To determine where [tex]\(\tan \theta\)[/tex] is undefined on the unit circle for [tex]\(0 \leq \theta \leq 2\pi\)[/tex], we need to understand the definition of the tangent function in terms of sine and cosine:

[tex]\[ \tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} \][/tex]

For the tangent function to be undefined, the denominator (the cosine of the angle) must be zero. Thus, we need to find the values of [tex]\(\theta\)[/tex] for which [tex]\(\cos \theta = 0\)[/tex].

On the unit circle, the cosine of an angle is the x-coordinate of the corresponding point. The cosine function is zero at two specific angles within one full rotation [tex]\([0, 2\pi]\)[/tex]:

1. [tex]\(\theta = \frac{\pi}{2}\)[/tex]
2. [tex]\(\theta = \frac{3\pi}{2}\)[/tex]

At these angles, the sine function [tex]\(\sin \theta\)[/tex] is either [tex]\(1\)[/tex] or [tex]\(-1\)[/tex] respectively, but the cosine function [tex]\(\cos \theta\)[/tex] is zero, making the tangent function [tex]\(\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}\)[/tex] undefined.

Therefore, the values of [tex]\(\theta\)[/tex] at which [tex]\(\tan \theta\)[/tex] is undefined are:

[tex]\[ \theta = \frac{\pi}{2} \quad \text{and} \quad \theta = \frac{3\pi}{2} \][/tex]

So, the correct answer is [tex]\(\theta=\frac{\pi}{2}\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\theta=\frac{3\pi}{2}\)[/tex].