Triangle XYZ has sides XY = 3", YZ = 4", and XZ = 5". If angle Y is a right angle, and side YZ is opposite angle X, what is the tan of angle X? Express your answer as a decimal to three significant digits.

Question

Triangle XYZ has sides XY = 3", YZ = 4", and XZ = 5". If angle Y is a right angle, and side YZ is opposite angle X, what is the tan of angle X?   Express your answer as a decimal to three significant digits.

anonymous · Answer

So first, lets draw it out: |dw:1356660195643:dw| The tangent of an angle is the opposite side over the adjacent side. In the case of X, that's 4/3, or 1.33.