Question

If sin α = 12/13 , and cosα = 5/13 , then tanα =?

It would be great if you could add a few words of explanation

Answer 1

If you draw a right angles triangle you can fill in the values. So since sinx= opposite/hypotenuse then the hypotenuse of the triangle is 13. And the side opposite the angle a is 12. Since cosx= adjacent/ hypotenuse, the adjacent side is 5.
Tanx=opposite/adjacent and therefore tana= 12/5

Answer 2

`sin\alpha=(12)/(13)\\\\cos\alpha=(5)/(13)\\\\tan\alpha=(sin\alpha)/(cos\alpha)\\\\tan\alpha=(12)/(13):(5)/(13)=(12)/(13)\cdot(13)/(5)=(12)/(5)=2(2)/(5)=2.4`