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Tan theta (1 Viewer)

kittyful

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What does m = tan theta mean? i dont get it textbooks dont have a deep meaning, and google doesnt have much. i was trying to do the 1992 HSC paper question 2c) i got stuck.

What does m= tan theta and how do i solve a question involving that in it ?
 

random-1006

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What does m = tan theta mean? i dont get it textbooks dont have a deep meaning, and google doesnt have much. i was trying to do the 1992 HSC paper question 2c) i got stuck.

What does m= tan theta and how do i solve a question involving that in it ?
draw up a picture of a line , making in an acute angle to start with the POSITIVE x axis, make a right angled triangle between the line, x axis and the origin. Now, now tan ( theta) in this triangle is the y coordinate / x coordinate, but gradient also equals y coordinate/ x coordinate { well gradient = change in y coordinate/ change in x coordinate}, but because you have a line, the change in y/ chnage in x is constant.

Hopefully makes sense
 

Rothbard

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draw up a picture of a line , making in an acute angle to start with the POSITIVE x axis, make a right angled triangle between the line, x axis and the origin. Now, now tan ( theta) in this triangle is the y coordinate / x coordinate, but gradient also equals y c
it means she's hot all around
learn your trigonometric ratios
 

SeCKSiiMiNh

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its just a formula lol

like, if a line makes an angle of 45 degrees with the positive direction of the x axis and they ask you to find the gradient m,

then tan 45 = m
=1

simple really
 

random-1006

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Tan (x) = opp/adj from trig.

This happens to be rise/run which is the gradient.

hence m = tan(x)

this

if you understand where the formula came from you will never forget it. Most of maths formulas can be easily remember by understanding where they come from, there are a few that must be memorised like perpendicular formula, but understand the ones you can !
 

hscishard

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this

if you understand where the formula came from you will never forget it. Most of maths formulas can be easily remember by understanding where they come from, there are a few that must be memorised like perpendicular formula, but understand the ones you can !
this

Too fucking true. Everyone in my class neglects the understanding part.
 

daryl-d

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What does m = tan theta mean? i dont get it textbooks dont have a deep meaning, and google doesnt have much. i was trying to do the 1992 HSC paper question 2c) i got stuck.

What does m= tan theta and how do i solve a question involving that in it ?

geometrically tan Theta represents the gradient of a line.

if the line is y -y(0) = m(x -x(0)); then m is the gradient of the line;

as gradient equal rise/ run, i.e. opposite side/ adjacent = tan(theta);

hence m = tan(theta);

You solve the question if u know what m or theta is
 

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