Find the slope and angle of inclination

AI Thread Summary
To find the slope and angle of inclination, the slope can be calculated using the tangent of the angle. For example, the slope corresponding to an angle of 30° is 1/√3, derived from the tangent function. Conversely, given a slope like m=-1/2, the angle of inclination can be found using the inverse tangent function, yielding approximately -26.57°. It's essential to ensure the calculator is set to the correct mode (degrees or radians) when performing these calculations. Understanding the relationships between angles and slopes is crucial for solving these types of problems effectively.
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1) Find the slope
a) (3.14)/6 b) 135° c)60°

2) Find the angle of inclination of a line with the given slope
a) m=-1/2 b) m=1 c) m=-2 d) m=57

how do u do these questions?
 
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gillgill said:
1) Find the slope
a) (3.14)/6 b) 135° c)60°

2) Find the angle of inclination of a line with the given slope
a) m=-1/2 b) m=1 c) m=-2 d) m=57

how do u do these questions?

1) {Slope} = tan{Angle of Inclination}
2) {Angle of Inclination} = tan^(-1){Slope}

Notes:
a) tan^(-1) = arctan = {Inverse tan}
b) In #1 above, determine the units of each "Angle of Inclination" before doing calculations and be sure calculator is set to the proper units (e.g., degrees or radians).


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Last edited:
Hello, gillgill, I'll do a few for you:

The slope of a line passing through points (x_1, y_1) and (x_2, y_2) is given by m=y_2-y_1/x_2-x_1 = \tan\alpha, where \alpha is the angle between the line and the x-axis.

So, if given an angle \alpha=\pi/6=180^o/6=30^o, you find the slope by evaluating m=\tan30^o, which I believe is m=\sqrt{3}/3.

Now, if given a slope m=-1/2, you know that m=-1/2=\tan\alpha. If you know the value of \tan\alpha (in this case -1/2), then you can find \alpha, by evaluating \arctan m=\arctan(-1/2)=\alpha, which gives you an angle of inclination \alpha=-26.57^o.

Hope this helps! Now try to do the other ones by yourself.:smile:

- Kamataat
 
ok..icic...
but for ex. 1a) the answer is 1/√3...how do u find that out?
 
o..okok..i see now...thx guys
 
1/\sqrt{3}=\sqrt{3}/3

- Kamataat
 
how do u go from tan30 to 1/√3?
 
gillgill said:
how do u go from tan30 to 1/√3?

Things you should know:

sin 30 = cos60 = 1/2
cos 30 = sin 60 = √3/2
tan 30 = sin30/cos30 = 1/2 / √3/2 = 1/√3

You should also know that sin45 and cos45 are both √2/2. And therefore tan45 is 1.

It is also helpful to remember approximate values for √3/2 and √2/2. They are .866 and .707 respectively. I can remember in high school my knowledge of those approximations helped me answer many questions I wasn't exactly sure of, quite quickly.
 
ic...
thanks
 
  • #10
If u're to remember someting,try to remember \sqrt{2}\approx 1.414 and \sqrt{3}\approx 1.732 or maybe with 3 sign.figures,only...

That way,u can do whatever operations with them.

Daniel.
 
  • #11
i have a different question this time...
given y=√x-4
reflected in the y-axis
translated 5 units left
compressed horizontally by 1/3

i keep getting y=√-3(x+1)...which is wrong...can anybody tell me what my mistake is?
 
  • #12
How can I type latex faster?>
 
  • #13
gillgill said:
i have a different question this time...
given y=√x-4
reflected in the y-axis
translated 5 units left
compressed horizontally by 1/3

i keep getting y=√-3(x+1)...which is wrong...can anybody tell me what my mistake is?

How in the world did you get that negative??

In general, a horizontal (left-right) change is a change in x.

Translating 5 units left shifts means that "x= -5" acts like "x= 0": that is the formula must involve "x+ 5". (Shifting 0 to a is the same as replacing x by x-a: in this case a= -5.)

"Compressing horizontally by 1/3" means "x= 1/3" acts like "x=1". That will be true if we multiply x by 3: replace x by 3x.

Putting those together, we can "translate 5 units left" and then "compress horizontally by 1/3" by replacing x by 3(x+ 5).

Since the original function was y= √(x-4) (I am assuming the entire x-4 was inside the root), the new function will be √(3(x+5)-4)=
√(15x+ 11).
 
  • #14
does reflect in the y-axis gives x an negative?
by the way...the answer is y=√-3(x+3)
 
  • #15
This is what I did:

Original function: y=\sqrt{x-4}

Reflect on the y-axis: y=\sqrt{-x-4}

Translate horizontally 5 units to the left: y=\sqrt{-(x+5)-4}=\sqrt{-x-5-4}=\sqrt{-x-9}

Compress horizontally by 1/3: y=\sqrt{-3x-9}=\sqrt{-3(x+3)}

- Kamataat
 
  • #16
o..i get it now...thx
 
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