Start by identifying the hypotenuse of the right triangle. Then find the sides that are opposite and adjacent to ∠ M.
5/12≈ 0.42
For the given right triangle, we want to write the ratio for the tangent of ∠ M.
Let's start by identifying the hypotenuse of the triangle and the sides that are opposite and adjacent to ∠ M.
We see that the length of the hypotenuse is 39. The length of the side adjacent to ∠ M is 36 and the length of the side opposite to ∠ M is 15. With this information, we can find the desired ratio.
Ratio
Definition
Value
tan M
Length of leg opposite∠ M/Length of leg adjacent∠ M
