Question

What is theTan(pi/2)

Answer 1

The value of tan(π/2) is undefined because it corresponds to an angle where the length of the adjacent side is zero, which would require division by zero in the tangent ratio.

Step-by-step explanation:

You've asked about the value of tan(π/2). The tangent of an angle in trigonometry is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle. However, for tan(π/2), which is the tangent of 90 degrees, there is a special circumstance to consider. When we look at the unit circle, at angle π/2, the length of the adjacent side (which is on the x-axis) is 0. Since division by zero is undefined, tan(π/2) is undefined.

Tan(π/2) is undefined. The tangent function is defined as the ratio of the sine function to the cosine function. At π/2 radians, the cosine function is equal to 0, which makes the denominator of the tangent function 0. Division by 0 is undefined in mathematics. Therefore, the value of tan(π/2) is undefined.

Answer 2

Undefined.

Step-by-step explanation:

Comment

Let's begin by discussing why a calculator throws up and gives an error when Tan(pi/2) is entered.

Start by entering Tan(89) which is 1 degree from pi/2. The calculator is very well behaved when you do that, but look at how big Tan(89) is. 57.29. That's pretty big as these things go.

I was taught that the answer to Tan(pi/2) was infinity which I think is no longer in vogue. I think you should be answering Undefined.