Mina is told only that \(\tan\theta=\frac{2}{5}\). She concludes that both \(\sin\theta\) and \(\cos\theta\) must be positive.
a) Explain why that conclusion is incomplete.
b) Write \(\sin\theta\) and \(\cos\theta\) using a common scale factor \(k\), and write the Pythagorean-identity equation for \(k\).
c) Determine every possible ordered pair \((\cos\theta,\sin\theta)\) and state the possible quadrants.
Hints
- Positive tangent means sine and cosine have the same sign, not necessarily that both are positive.
- Represent the two values with one common scale factor before using the identity.
- Keep both possible signs of the scale factor and connect them with unit-circle quadrants.
Solution
1. A positive tangent means sine and cosine have the same sign, so the angle can lie in Quadrant I or Quadrant III; it does not force both values to be positive.
2. Since \(\tan\theta=\frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=\frac{2}{5}\), write \(\sin\theta=2k\) and \(\cos\theta=5k\) for a nonzero real scale factor \(k\).
3. The identity gives \(4k^2+25k^2=1\), so \(29k^2=1\) and \(k=\pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{29}}\).
4. If \(k=\frac{1}{\sqrt{29}}\), then \((\cos\theta,\sin\theta)=\left(\frac{5\sqrt{29}}{29},\frac{2\sqrt{29}}{29}\right)\), which is in Quadrant I.
5. If \(k=-\frac{1}{\sqrt{29}}\), then \((\cos\theta,\sin\theta)=\left(-\frac{5\sqrt{29}}{29},-\frac{2\sqrt{29}}{29}\right)\), which is in Quadrant III.
Answer
a) A positive tangent allows Quadrant I or Quadrant III, so both sine and cosine need not be positive.
b) \(\sin\theta=2k\), \(\cos\theta=5k\); identity equation: \(4k^2+25k^2=1\), so \(k=\pm\frac{1}{\sqrt{29}}\)
c) \(\left(\frac{5\sqrt{29}}{29},\frac{2\sqrt{29}}{29}\right)\) in Quadrant I or \(\left(-\frac{5\sqrt{29}}{29},-\frac{2\sqrt{29}}{29}\right)\) in Quadrant III