Question

Ms. Ziolkowski asks her class to write the correct trigonometric function for the triangle shown below.

Two students get into an argument about the correct answer.
Rhianna states that the correct trig function is tan A = 3/4. Christopher insists that the correct trig function is tan C = 4/3. Who is correct? In writing your response, be sure to include the terms opposite side, adjacent side, tangent ratio, and reference angle. Be sure to restate the question and explain your position with at least four sentences.

Answer 1

Alright so these ratios have many different forms but the way I use to remember the trigonometric ratios is:

SOH

CAH

TOA

This means:

Sine --> Opposite/Hypotenuse

Cosine --> Adjacent/Hypotenuse

Tangent --> Oppositie/Adjacent

With that in mind, number 1:

Would be Sine, or C.

Number 2 would be, Cosine, or E.

And number 3 would be Tangent, or B.

Hope that was helpful.

Answer 2

Both are correct

Explanation:

They just chose different reference angles to find the ratio.

Rihanna chose angle A:

tan A = opposite/adjacent

tan A = 3/4

Christopher chose angle C:

tan C = opposite/adjacent

tan C = 4/3