<img src="https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=iA1Pi1a8Dy00ym" style="display:none" height="1" width="1" alt="" />
We experienced a service interruption from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. PT. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. (Posted: Tuesday 02/21/2017)

# Tangent Identification

## Function of an angle equal to the opposite leg over the adjacent leg of a right triangle.

Estimated6 minsto complete
%
Progress
Practice Tangent Identification

MEMORY METER
This indicates how strong in your memory this concept is
Progress
Estimated6 minsto complete
%
Understanding Tangents

The members of the Volunteer Fire Department have been busy building a ramp at the entrance to the local arena to accommodate a young man who is confined to a wheelchair. Joey, who has recently moved to the small community, is about to try out the new ramp.

If the ramp covers a horizontal distance of 8.4 meters along the ground and rises to a height of 1.2 meters, how can Joey figure out what angle the ramp makes with the ground?

In this concept, you will learn to understand the trigonometric ratio Tangent.

### Tangent Ratio

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics used to determine the lengths of sides and the measure of angles with great accuracy. A ratio of the lengths of the sides of a right triangle is called a trigonometric ratio. The ratio of the length of the side opposite the reference angle to the length of the side alongside the reference angle is the Tangent ratio. An acute angle of a right triangle is formed by the hypotenuse and one of the legs of the triangle. This leg is called the adjacent side of the reference angle. The Tangent ratio is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

In each given diagram, label each side of the right triangle as the:

Hypotenuse (H); Side Opposite reference angle (O); Side Adjacent to reference angle (A)

The Tangent ratio for the first triangle can be written in words as:

tangent of \begin{align*}\angle A = \frac{\text{side opposite } \angle A}{\text{side adjacent } \angle A}\end{align*} Or in a shortened form as \begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

The tangent ratio for the first triangle can be written in symbols as:

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{BC}{AC}\end{align*}

The tangent ratio for the second triangle can be written in words as:

tangent of \begin{align*}\angle F = \frac{\text{side opposite } \angle F}{\text{side adjacent } \angle F}\end{align*} Or in a shortened form as \begin{align*}\tan F = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

The Tangent ratio for the second triangle can be written in symbols as:

\begin{align*}\tan F = \frac{DE}{EF}\end{align*}

Let’s determine the value for the tangent ratio of each of the acute angles using the following right triangle. Express the tangent ratio in words and symbols. Then, using the values on the corresponding sides, replace the symbols with the numbers and express the ratio first as a fraction and then as a decimal rounded to the nearest ten thousandth (four places after the decimal).

\begin{align*}\triangle ABC\end{align*} with \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*} as the reference angle.

First, name the sides of the triangle.

The hypotenuse is across from the right angle. The opposite side is across from \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*}. The side alongside \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*} is the adjacent. The sides are labeled with the letters H, O, A respectively.

Next, write the tangent ratio for \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*} in all of the required forms.

Words:

tangent of \begin{align*}\angle A = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

Symbols:

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{BC}{AC}\end{align*}

Fraction:

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{12}{5}\end{align*}

Decimal:

\begin{align*}\tan A = 2.4\end{align*}

\begin{align*}\triangle ABC\end{align*} with \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} as the reference angle.

Notice that the locations of the opposite and adjacent sides have changed from where they were when \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*} was the reference angle.

First, name the sides of the triangle.

The hypotenuse is across from the right angle. The opposite side is across from \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}. The side alongside \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} is the adjacent. The sides are labeled with the letters H, O, A respectively.

Next, write the tangent ratio for \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} in all of the required forms.

Words:

tangent of \begin{align*}\angle B = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

Symbols:

\begin{align*}\tan B = \frac{AC}{BC}\end{align*}

Fraction:

\begin{align*}\tan B = \frac{5}{12}\end{align*}

Decimal:

\begin{align*}\tan B = 0.4167\end{align*}

If \begin{align*}\tan B = 0.4167\end{align*}, then the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} can be found using the inverse tangent function \begin{align*}(\tan^{-1})\end{align*} on the TI- calculator.

First, follow the Key Press History below to calculate the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}.

Next, look at the calculator screen to see the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}.

Then, write the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} to the nearest tenth.

\begin{align*}\angle B = 22.6^\circ\end{align*}

### Examples

#### Example 1

Earlier, you were given a problem about Joey and the ramp. He is wondering what angle the ramp makes with the ground. How can Joey figure out the measure of this angle?

Joey can use the Tangent ratio and round his answer to the nearest hundredth.

First, draw and label a right triangle to model the problem.

Next, name the sides of the triangle using the reference angle A.

Next, write the tangent ratio in words.

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

Next, write the ratio using symbols.

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{BC}{AC}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a fraction using the values of the corresponding sides.

\begin{align*}\tan A = \frac{1.2}{8.4}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a decimal rounded to four places after the decimal.

\begin{align*}\tan A = 0.1429\end{align*}

Next, use the inverse tangent function \begin{align*}(\tan^{-1})\end{align*} on the TI calculator to find the measure of \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*}.

\begin{align*}\angle A = 8.13^\circ\end{align*}

The ramp makes an angle of 8.13° with the ground.

#### Example 2

For the following right triangle, use the tangent ratio to calculate the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}, the reference angle, to the nearest tenth.

First, using the reference angle to name the sides of the triangle.

Next, write the tangent ratio in words.

\begin{align*}\tan B = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

Next, write the ratio using symbols.

\begin{align*}\tan B = \frac{AC}{BC}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a fraction using the values of the corresponding sides.

\begin{align*}\tan B = \frac{32}{21}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a decimal rounded to four places after the decimal.

\begin{align*}\tan B = 1.5238\end{align*}

Next, use the inverse tangent function \begin{align*}(\tan^{-1})\end{align*} on the TI calculator to find the measure of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}.

Then, write the value of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*} to the nearest tenth.

\begin{align*}\angle B = 56.7^\circ\end{align*}

#### Example 3

If \begin{align*}\tan C = 3.6285\end{align*}, then what is the measure of \begin{align*}\angle C\end{align*} to the nearest tenth.

First, use the TI-calculator to find the measure of the angle by using the inverse tangent function \begin{align*}(\tan^{-1})\end{align*} located above the \begin{align*}\boxed{\tan}\end{align*} button on the calculator.

Next, to access this function press:

Next, enter the given decimal value inside the parenthesis where the cursor is flashing.

Next, press enter to see the measure of the angle on the screen.

Then, write the value of \begin{align*}\angle C\end{align*} to the nearest tenth.

\begin{align*}\angle C = 74.6^\circ\end{align*}

#### Example 4

For the following right triangle, use the tangent ratio to calculate the measure of \begin{align*}\angle C\end{align*} to the nearest hundredth.

First, using the reference angle to name the sides of the triangle.

Next, write the tangent ratio in words.

\begin{align*}\tan C = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}\end{align*}

Next, write the ratio using symbols.

\begin{align*}\tan C = \frac{AB}{BC}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a fraction using the values of the corresponding sides.

\begin{align*}\tan C = \frac{7}{12}\end{align*}

Next, express the ratio as a decimal rounded to four places after the decimal.

\begin{align*}\tan C = 0.5833\end{align*}

Next, use the inverse tangent function \begin{align*}(\tan^{-1})\end{align*} on the TI calculator to find the measure of \begin{align*}\angle C\end{align*}.

Then, write the value of \begin{align*}\angle C\end{align*} to the nearest hundredth.

\begin{align*}\angle C = 30.26^\circ\end{align*}

### Review

Solve each problem.

?\begin{align*}\angle G\end{align*}1. What is the tangent of

2. What is the tangent of \begin{align*}\angle H\end{align*}?

3. True or False. The sine and the tangent use the same ratios.

?\begin{align*}\angle R\end{align*}4. What is the tangent of

5. What is the tangent of \begin{align*}\angle S\end{align*}?

6. What is the tangent of \begin{align*}\angle A\end{align*}?

7. What is the tangent of \begin{align*}\angle B\end{align*}?

8. What is the length of the missing side rounded to the nearest hundredth?

Answer each of the following questions. You may round to the nearest hundredth.

9. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{4}{5}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

10. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{14}{20}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

11. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{6}{7}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

12. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{9}{2}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

13. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{4}{20}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

14. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{7}{21}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

15. If a tangent ratio is \begin{align*}\frac{9}{19}\end{align*} what is the measure of the tangent?

### Notes/Highlights Having trouble? Report an issue.

Color Highlighted Text Notes

### Vocabulary Language: English

AA Similarity Postulate

If two angles in one triangle are congruent to two angles in another triangle, then the two triangles are similar.

Congruent

Congruent figures are identical in size, shape and measure.

cosine

The cosine of an angle in a right triangle is a value found by dividing the length of the side adjacent the given angle by the length of the hypotenuse.

Similar

Two figures are similar if they have the same shape, but not necessarily the same size.

sine

The sine of an angle in a right triangle is a value found by dividing the length of the side opposite the given angle by the length of the hypotenuse.

Tangent

The tangent of an angle in a right triangle is a value found by dividing the length of the side opposite the given angle by the length of the side adjacent to the given angle.

Trigonometric Ratios

Ratios that help us to understand the relationships between sides and angles of right triangles.

1. [1]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
2. [2]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
3. [3]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
4. [4]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
5. [5]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
6. [6]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
7. [7]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
8. [8]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
9. [9]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
10. [10]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
11. [11]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
12. [12]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
13. [13]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
14. [14]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
15. [15]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
16. [16]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
17. [17]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
18. [18]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
19. [19]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
20. [20]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0
21. [21]^ License: CC BY-NC 3.0

### Explore More

Sign in to explore more, including practice questions and solutions for Tangent Identification.