tan theta is undefined for theta = ??

Question

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Hint:
$$\Large \tan(\theta) = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{\cos(\theta)}$$

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

Another hint:
determine what values of theta make $$\Large \cos(\theta) = 0$$ true

gwenmcdonald · Answer

I dont understand, given my choices are 
pi/2
pi
0
3pi/2

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

do you have the unit circle with you?

gwenmcdonald · Answer

no

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

the x coordinate of each point on the unit circle is equal to the value of `cos(theta)`

do you see any points with x coordinates of 0?

gwenmcdonald · Answer

yes
pi/2
3pi/2

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

yep so those values of theta will make `tan(theta)` undefined

because of the division by zero errors

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

ie,

cos(pi/2) = 0
cos(3pi/2) = 0

so tan(theta) = sin(theta)/cos(theta) is undefined when theta is pi/2 or 3pi/2

gwenmcdonald · Answer

thank you for all your help!

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

sure thing