Tan 43 = 5/x?

Question

Tan 43 = 5/x?

anonymous · Answer

Do i multiply the tangent of 43 by 5? Or do i divide?

campbell_st · Answer

then making x the subject you can say 

$$x = \frac{5}{\tan(43)}$$

anonymous · Answer

i got -3.33692088177

campbell_st · Answer

well I think you have a calculation error.. 

make sure the screen of you calculator is showing a small D for degrees

and its simply 

$$5 \div \tan(43) =$$

anonymous · Answer

im still getting the same answer.

anonymous · Answer

Heres the question that this question went with.. maybe im missing something.
in triangle def fe = 5 and m d = 43. Find DE to the nearest tenth, assuming that its a right triangle |dw:1443133790539:dw|

campbell_st · Answer

I understand the question but you are finding a length, and posted a negative value as your answer... which is a significant error

I know tan(45) = 1  so the answer for x should be a little but more that 5... probably around 5.4 at a guess

anonymous · Answer

alright

campbell_st · Answer

so just make sure the calculator is set for degrees... 

there are normally 3 angle measures... just check for the D before calculating