Study Guide The Tangent Ratio

In the above picture, how could you find the height of the flagpole using the given information? Complete the following study guide. Then, see if your plan to find the flagpole height will work.

Introduction You have just learned about right triangles with special angle measurements (45 - 45 90 triangles and 30 60 90 triangles), and their theorems. What about right triangles with acute angle measures other than 30, 45, or 60? In these cases, we can use what is called a trigonometric ratio to help find the measures of unknown sides. The first of these ratios that we will explore is the tangent ratio. Use section 10.4 of your text to complete the following exercises.

Vocabulary: Define the following terms in your own words. Then, confirm your definitions by using the textbook. Use a separate sheet of paper. Acute angle Hypotenuse Leg Opposite an angle Tangent Ratio Leg Adjacent to an angle Trigonometric ratio

Comprehension Use your calculator to approximate the value to four decimal places. 1.tan 28 _________ 2. tan 54__________ 3. tan 5 __________ 4. tan 79 __________

Solve each equation for x. Round your answers to the nearest tenth. 1. 2. 3.

Use the following illustration and section 10.4 to complete the questions below.

For each of the right triangles, find the value of x using the tangent ratio. Round answers to the nearest tenth. 1.
3 ft 35 X

2.
X

3.

12 m 29

22
14 km

Application

2.

Use what youve learned about the tangent ratio to find the height of the flagpole on the first page of this study guide. Show how you arrived at your answer.

3.

A water slide (with no curves or bends) makes an angle of about 13 with the ground. The slide extends horizontally about 78 feet (this is the distance along the ground). Find the height h of this slide. Draw a rough sketch of this problem, and show how you arrived at your answer. Be prepared to share your work.