What is Unit circle: Definition and 106 Discussions

In mathematics, a unit circle is a circle of unit radius—that is, a radius of 1. Frequently, especially in trigonometry, the unit circle is the circle of radius 1 centered at the origin (0, 0) in the Cartesian coordinate system in the Euclidean plane. In topology, it is often denoted as S1 because it is a one-dimensional unit n-sphere.If (x, y) is a point on the unit circle's circumference, then |x| and |y| are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle whose hypotenuse has length 1. Thus, by the Pythagorean theorem, x and y satisfy the equation





x

2


+

y

2


=
1.


{\displaystyle x^{2}+y^{2}=1.}
Since x2 = (−x)2 for all x, and since the reflection of any point on the unit circle about the x- or y-axis is also on the unit circle, the above equation holds for all points (x, y) on the unit circle, not only those in the first quadrant.
The interior of the unit circle is called the open unit disk, while the interior of the unit circle combined with the unit circle itself is called the closed unit disk.
One may also use other notions of "distance" to define other "unit circles", such as the Riemannian circle; see the article on mathematical norms for additional examples.

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  1. D

    Help with the unit circle please.

    Hi there. I'm really confused with this question, it's about the unit circle. Firstly I was asked to look up the values of (sorry I don't know how to put in the symbol for PI-3.14) 'cos(PI/3)' and 'sin(PI/3)' ok I got them. Then I'm told to use the unit circle diagrams (diagrams?) to show the...
  2. U

    Sketching a Unit Circle: Finding tanx ≤ (-50)

    Question: sketch a unit circle and indicate the range of positions where tanx < or = (-50). I have no clue how to do this. THe previous problems in my homework were easy, such as: sketch a unit circle and mark two positions where sin = 1/3 or -1/3. I would just move up 1/3 on the y and go...
  3. M

    Given n points on the unit circle

    Let a0, . . . , an be points on the unit circle. Show that there is some other point p on the unit circle such that the product of the distances from p to ai for i=0,...,n at least 1. (Hint: Maximum Modulus Principle) Maximum Modulus Principle: Let f be a nonconstant holomorphic function in...
  4. B

    Proving the Sum of Complex Numbers on the Unit Circle

    Can anyone help me with this: Let w be a complex number with the property w \leq 2. Prove that w can be written as a sum of to complex numbers on the unit circle. That is; prove that w can be written as w = z_1 + z_2, where |z_1| = 1 and |z_2| = 1. I really can't come up with a...
  5. H

    Unit Circle & Trig: Explaining Why sin(t+2pi)=sin t

    In a unit circle, where t is a real number, why is that the following is true: sin (t+2pi)=sin t I really don't understand this, if I put any value into t and check on my calculator, sint and sin(t+2pi) give different answer, why is this? Thanks for any help
  6. C

    Deriving Sin(a+b) from the Unit Circle: Any Ideas?

    How do I derive the formula 'Sin(a+b)=sinacosb + cosasinb' from the unit circle. Any ideas would be appreaciated our study group tried and failed.
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