What are the signs of Sin, Cos, and Tan in Quadrant II?

Study for the Accuplacer Advanced Algebra and Functions Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Ace your exam preparation!

In Quadrant II of the Cartesian coordinate system, the angle ranges from 90 degrees to 180 degrees (or from π/2 to π radians). In this quadrant, the sine, cosine, and tangent functions exhibit specific signs based on the unit circle.

The sine function corresponds to the y-coordinate of a point on the unit circle. In Quadrant II, where the y-coordinate is positive (above the x-axis), the sine of the angle is positive.

Conversely, the cosine function corresponds to the x-coordinate of a point on the unit circle. In Quadrant II, the x-coordinate is negative (to the left of the y-axis), which leads to the cosine of the angle being negative.

The tangent function is defined as the ratio of sine to cosine (tan(θ) = sin(θ) / cos(θ)). Since the sine is positive and the cosine is negative in this quadrant, the tangent will be the ratio of a positive number to a negative number, resulting in the tangent being negative as well.

Thus, in Quadrant II, the signs of the trigonometric functions are: sine is positive, cosine is negative, and tangent is negative. Therefore, the correct interpretation of these signs aligns with the first choice

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