1. Mar 17, 2010 #1

   SAT2400

   

   1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
   
   If f(x)= tan(2x), then f'(pi/6) =
   
   2. Relevant equations
   
   deriv. of tan(pi/3)
   
   3. The attempt at a solution
   
   How can I solve this? I am not supposed to use a calculator?? tan(pi/3) ...am I supposed to memorize this?

    

   SAT2400, Mar 17, 2010
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3. Mar 17, 2010 #2

   Pinu7

   

   What is f'(x) ?
   Hint: use the chain rule.

    

   Pinu7, Mar 17, 2010
4. Mar 17, 2010 #3

   SAT2400

   

   tan(pi/3) ' = sec^2(pi/3) is it??

    

   SAT2400, Mar 17, 2010
5. Mar 17, 2010 #4

   jav

   

   And now how can you simplify that using the definition of sec?

    

   jav, Mar 17, 2010
6. Mar 18, 2010 #5

   Mark44

   

   Insights Author

   Staff: Mentor

   The derivative of tan(pi/3) is zero. tan(pi/3) is a constant, and the derivative of any constant is zero.
   

   Yes. There are a few angles whose trig functions you should have memorized - 0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2, as well as their supplements and combinations with pi/2, pi, and so on. You should also have memorized all of the six trig functions in terms of the sine or cosine.

    

   Mark44, Mar 18, 2010
7. Mar 18, 2010 #6

   Pinu7

   

   Can you write sec x in terms of sine and/or cosine? You should have memorized the values of sin(pi/3) and cos(pi/3)

    

   Pinu7, Mar 18, 2010

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