# Homework Help: Tan() -- calculate the exact value w/o a calculator

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1. Jul 21, 2015

### Rectifier

The problem
I have the triangle ABC where ∠C is 90°. The side AC is $\sqrt{3} \ cm$ and the side BC is 1 cm. What is ∠A (α)?

The attempt
$$tan(a) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$$

The problem is that I have to calculate the exact value of α without any calculator.

I tried to calculate the third side by applying the pythagoras theorem. AB turned out to be 2 cm.

I even tried to write it like that $$tan(a) = \frac{sin(a)}{cos(a)} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} \\ sin(a)=1 \\ a=90 \\ cos(a) = \sqrt{3}\\$$

2. Jul 21, 2015

### HallsofIvy

Imagine an equilateral triangle with three sides of length s. Each angle is, of course, 60 degrees ($\pi/3$ radians). Drop a perpendicular from one vertex to the middle of the opposite side. One can show (by showing that the two triangles this divides the equilateral triangle into are congruent) that this new line is perpendicular to the opposite sides and bisects the angle at the vertex.

That is, the new line divides the equilateral triangle into two right triangles with angles of 60 degrees ($\pi/3$ radians) and 30 degrees ($\pi/6$ radians). One leg is of length s/2 and the hypotenuse is s so the other leg, the altitude of the original equilateral triangle, is of length $\sqrt{s^2- s^2/4}= \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}s$.

So, what angle has tangent equal to $\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$?

3. Jul 21, 2015

### DEvens

Recall that cos and sin range between -1 and 1, never outside that. So cos(a) = sqrt(3) can't be right.

You have the triangle having sides 1, 2, and sqrt(3). So the cos isn't sqrt(3). You are forgetting the definition of cos. Also, sin isn't 1.

What is the definition of sin? For this triangle it is 1 divided by something, but what?

4. Jul 21, 2015

### Nidum

It's an half of an equilateral triangle with all sides = 2 units . All angles = 60 degrees . Your angle is a half angle = 30 degrees .

Or use sin(a) = 1/2 on original triangle . This is a well known result for 30 degrees .

5. Jul 21, 2015

### Rectifier

sin(a)= is the ratio of the opposite side and the hypothenuse

6. Jul 21, 2015

### Rectifier

Oh!
I get it now
sin(a)= is the ratio of the opposite side and the hypothenuse and the hypothenuse is 2!

This means that $$sin(a)= \frac{1}{2}$$ and then a=30°

Thank you to all of you!

7. Jul 21, 2015

### Rectifier

I am sorry that I ignored your comment. I didnt see it in this thread when I first got replies for some reason.