Question

What is the value of tan A?
8/17
15/8
8/15
15/17

Answer 1

B) 15/8

Explanation:

Use the SOH-CAH-TOA acronym:

• SOH: Sin(θ) = Opposite / Hypotenuse

• CAH: Cos(θ) = Adjacent / Hypotenuse

• TOA: Tan(θ) = Opposite / Adjacent

Tangent of A would be "opposite" over "adjacent". The side of the triangle opposite angle A would be 15, and the side adjacent to angle A would be 8 -- the value of tan(A) is 15/8.

Tan(A) cannot be 15/7, because 7 is the hypotenuse. Remember that the hypotenuse of a right triangle is the side opposite the 90° angle -- here, angle B is the 90° angle.