Which equation is correct?
A) cot x= opposite/adjacent
B) sec x= opposite/adjacent
C) sec x= adjacent/opposite
D) cot x= adjacent/opposite

Question

Which equation is correct?
A) cot x= opposite/adjacent
B) sec x= opposite/adjacent
C) sec x= adjacent/opposite
D) cot x= adjacent/opposite

jim_thompson5910 · Answer

tan(x) = opposite/adajacent, so choice A is wrong


but...


cot(x) = adjacent/opposite because cot(x) = 1/tan(x) (ie everything flips)


So the answer is choice D


The other choices involving sec(x) are wrong as well because sec(x)=1/cos(x) which means that the hypotenuse and the adjacent side (and not the opposite side) are involved.

anonymous · Answer

Thank you!!!