Math Problem Statement

Find the tangent of 

X

.

5

12

13

X

W

Y

Simplify your answer and write it as a proper fraction, improper fraction, or whole number.

tan

(

X

)

=

Solution

It looks like you're referring to a right triangle where the sides are 5, 12, and 13, and you want to find the tangent of angle X\angle X. Based on the Pythagorean triple (5, 12, 13), we know that this is a right triangle, and the tangent of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.

Let's assume that X\angle X is opposite the side of length 5, and the adjacent side to X\angle X is of length 12. The hypotenuse has length 13, which is consistent with the Pythagorean triple.

The formula for the tangent of an angle in a right triangle is:

tan(X)=oppositeadjacent=512\tan(X) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}} = \frac{5}{12}

So, the tangent of X\angle X is:

tan(X)=512\tan(X) = \frac{5}{12}

This is already a simplified fraction.


Would you like more details about this process or the relationship between the sides of right triangles? Here's a list of 5 related questions:

  1. How can you use the Pythagorean theorem to find missing side lengths in a right triangle?
  2. What are the basic trigonometric ratios in right triangles?
  3. How do you calculate the tangent if the sides are not part of a Pythagorean triple?
  4. How can you find the angle using the inverse tangent function?
  5. What is the relationship between the sine, cosine, and tangent functions in a right triangle?

Tip: In right triangles, recognizing common Pythagorean triples (like 3, 4, 5 and 5, 12, 13) can help quickly identify the ratios for sine, cosine, and tangent!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Right Triangles
Tangent Function

Formulas

tan(X) = opposite/adjacent

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10