tanx= 2/5. Whats x? How do you figure it out without a calculator?

Question

tanx= 2/5.  Whats x? How do you figure it out without a calculator?

anonymous · Answer

Google...?

anonymous · Answer

err hah i need to know how to do it on my tests...

anonymous · Answer

oh. xD Lol If I knew that, I would've said something different.

mani_jha · Answer

Well, its very preferable to use a calculator. On your exams, these values will probably be given. There is indeed a geometric way of figuring this out. But you cannot use that during the exams.
If the question asks to find x, just find tanx and leave it, if no other information is provided

anonymous · Answer

why cant i use the geometric way of figuring it out?

anonymous · Answer

do you mean an unit circle?

mani_jha · Answer

The geometric way is as follows:
Draw a line AB of length 2 cm. Draw another line BC of length 5 cm perpendicular to this line, Join AC. Then using a protractor, measure the angle ACB. That is the value of x|dw:1331318083054:dw|