for tan = y/x what does it mean that x does not equal 0 and there is a restriction at 90 and 270?

Question

for tan = y/x     what does it mean that x does not equal 0 and there is a restriction at 90 and 270?

anonymous · Answer

You can't divide by zero.
What would computing the tangent of 90 mean (think of a right angled triangle)
Same problem for 270 (= -90 degrees).

anonymous · Answer

hmmm storta confused..

anonymous · Answer

OK What's your calculator say for tan 89, tan 89.9, tan 89.99 etc

anonymous · Answer

57.28

turingtest · Answer

...or how about what is the definition of $\tan x$

turingtest · Answer

?

turingtest · Answer

@HorribleAtMath Why run away? how does that help you

anonymous · Answer

One definition is opposite/adjacent sides of a right hand triangle - draw a sketch.

anonymous · Answer

i didn't run away. geese I'm on a different question. tan is y/x

turingtest · Answer

I was going to say$$\tan x=\frac{\sin x}{\cos x}$$right?

anonymous · Answer

except when cosx = 0

turingtest · Answer

...that's what I'm getting at...

anonymous · Answer

so like if i have sin 3x = 1/2

anonymous · Answer

how do i do that

anonymous · Answer

You say what angle has a sine of a half, and go from there.

anonymous · Answer

for sin3x = 1/2     why is the answer pi/18 and 5pi/18 ?

anonymous · Answer

You are using radians to measure angles.

anonymous · Answer

can you just answer the question

anonymous · Answer

if the sine of something = 1/2, something must be 30 degrees (or 120 degrees) or add a multiple of 360 degrees...

anonymous · Answer

Correction; read 150, not 120.