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Geometry and TrigonometryHardTangent from sine

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

For an acute angle θ, sin θ = 5/13. What is the value of tan θ?

  1. A. 5/12Correct
  2. B. 12/13
  3. C. 12/5
  4. D. 5/13

Answer: A. 5/12

sin θ = opposite/hypotenuse = 5/13, so the adjacent side is √(13² − 5²) = √144 = 12. tan θ = opposite/adjacent = 5/12.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 12/13
12/13 is cos θ (adjacent/hypotenuse), not tan θ.
C. 12/5
12/5 is adjacent/opposite — tan θ turned upside down.
D. 5/13
5/13 is sin θ itself; tan θ uses the adjacent side, 12, in the denominator.

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