Question

when studing the unit a circle how do you know if its a positive or a negative

Answer 1

If what is positive or negative?

Answer 2

Think of the unit circle as a regular coordinate system. Where x and y are positive and negative on a regular coordinate system, it's the same for the unit circle. If that makes sense.

Answer 3

sin = y, when y is positive, sin is positive

cos = x when x is positive cos is positive

tan = y/x when y or x is negative, tan is negative

Answer 4

oh heres an easy way to remember: (A)LL (S)TUDENTS (T)AKE (C)ALCULUS
it starts from top right and goes counterclockwise. each corresponding letter in the paranthesis signals that the trig function is positive.

Answer 5

here's an example: (i like to think in degrees cause i think its easier and my examples will be in DEGREES, but u can convert to radians if u want).... so if i say SIN(150), you know that the answer is positive since the letter S is in the second quadrant, same as 150 degrees.

Answer 6

if i say COS(150), you know that the answer will be negative since COS is positive only in the first and third quadrant. any other quadrants will result in a negative answer for COS. same for the rest of the trig functions. oh and by the way, the A in ALL stands for ALL TRIG FUNCTIONS. so any trig in the first quadrant is a positive answer.

Answer 7

if i say COS(150), you know that the answer will be negative since COS is positive only in the first and third quadrant. any other quadrants will result in a negative answer for COS. same for the rest of the trig functions. oh and by the way, the A in ALL stands for ALL TRIG FUNCTIONS. so any trig in the first quadrant is a positive answer.