Question in-the

4.2 Right Triangles & Trigonometry - Trig ratios (sin, cos, tan) in right triangles
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The figure presents right triangle A B C. Side A C is horizontal, with A to the left of C, and side B C is vertical, with B above C. A right angle symbol is indied at angle C. Side A B is labeled 29. Side A C is labeled 21. Side B C is labeled 20.

In the figure above, what is the value of tangent A?

A.

20 over 29

B.

21 over 29

C.

20 over 21

D.

21 over 20

In the figure above, what is the value of ?

Medium-difficulty · SAT Math · Right Triangles & Trigonometry — Trig ratios (sin, cos, tan) in right triangles. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice C is correct. Angle A is an acute angle in a right triangle, so the value of tan(A) is equivalent to the ratio of the length of the side opposite angle A, 20, to the length of the nonhypotenuse side adjacent to angle A, 21. Therefore,  tangent A, equals 20 over 21.

Choice A is incorrect. This is the value of sin(A). Choice B is incorrect. This is the value of cos(A). Choice D is incorrect. This is the value of tan(B).