Question

Find tan theta if theta is an angle in standard position and the point with coordinates (4,3) lies on the terminal side of the angle

Answer 1

Answer: 0.75

Explanation:

We can do this by drawing a terminal side in a standard position and then drawing the associated triangle. We then use the Pythagoras theorem to find the missing side the hypotenuse. Then, this will give a Pythagorean Triplet of 3, 4 and 5.

We now have a triangle with the values of:

x = 4

y =3

h^2= 4^2 + 3^2

h^2 = 16 + 9

h^2 = 25

h = 5

h = 5

Tangent = opposite/adjacent

= y/x

= 3/4

= 0.75