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?
- A. 5/12Correct
- B. 12/13
- C. 12/5
- 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.
More Geometry and Trigonometry questions
- Hard
In a right triangle, one leg is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13. What is the length of the other leg? - Hard
A circle has a radius of 4. What is the length of an arc that subtends a central angle of 90°? - Hard
A circle is defined by the equation (x − 3)² + (y + 2)² = 25. What is the radius of the circle? - Hard
What is 135° expressed in radians? - Hard
What is the length of segment PT? - Hard
What is the measure, in degrees, of the central angle of this sector?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.