Geometry and trigonometry
Tangent
In right-triangle trigonometry, tangent is opposite side divided by adjacent side; in geometry it can also mean a line touching a curve locally.
In one sentence
What does Tangent mean?
In right-triangle trigonometry, tangent is opposite side divided by adjacent side; in geometry it can also mean a line touching a curve locally.
How it is written
tan(θ)=opposite/adjacent
A compact example
If opposite=3 and adjacent=4, tan(θ)=0.75.
Other names and search terms
tan.
Where this fits
When should you learn Tangent?
The first encounter is not the final level. Many ideas begin visually, become computational in high school and become formal in college.
- 1Pre-high schoolUsually introduced
- 2High schoolGreater depth
- 3CollegeGreater depth
- 4AdvancedGreater depth
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
- Arithmetic
- Measurement
- Vectors
- Waves
- Coordinate geometry
Angles, coordinates and trigonometric waves feed directly into vectors and wave mathematics.
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Questions about Tangent
What does Tangent mean in mathematics?
In right-triangle trigonometry, tangent is opposite side divided by adjacent side; in geometry it can also mean a line touching a curve locally.
How is Tangent written?
A common notation is tan(θ)=opposite/adjacent.
What is an example of Tangent?
If opposite=3 and adjacent=4, tan(θ)=0.75.