Tangent Function

Tangent Function Definitions, Formula’s & Examples

GET TUTORING NEAR ME!

(800) 434-2582

By submitting the following form, you agree to Club Z!'s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Tangent Function Definitions & Examples

    The tangent function is one of the most important functions in mathematics. It appears in many different contexts, from geometry to calculus. The tangent function can be defined in a number of ways, depending on the context in which it is being used. In this article, we will explore the various definitions and examples of the tangent function. We will also discuss some of its applications in different areas of mathematics. Whether you are a student trying to understand this concept for the first time, or a seasoned mathematician looking for a refresher, this article is for you.

    What is a Tangent Function?

    A tangent function is a mathematical function that calculates the tangent of an angle. The tangent of an angle is the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to the angle divided by the length of the side opposite the angle. This ratio is also known as the slope of a line.

    Tangent Function Definitions

    A tangent is a line that just barely touches a curve at a single point. The word “tangent” comes from the Latin word for “touch.”

    The slope of a tangent line at any point on a curve is equal to the instantaneous rate of change of the function at that point. In other words, it’s the derivative of the function at that point.

    There are a few different ways to calculate the slope of a tangent line:

    -Differentiate the function at the point in question. This will give you the slope of the tangent line.
    -Use limits to find the slope of the tangent line.
    -Find two points on the curve near the point in question and use those points to approximate the tangent line using linear equations. Then, find the slope of that approximating line.

    Tangent Function Formula

    The tangent function is defined as the ratio of the length of the side opposite to an angle in a right-angled triangle to the length of the side adjacent to that angle. The tangent function can be represented using the following formula:

    tangent(?) = opposite/adjacent

    where ? represents the angle in question.

    Tangent Function Graph

    The tangent function is a mathematical function that calculates the ratio of the length of the side adjacent to an angle in a right triangle to the length of the hypotenuse. The tangent function can be written as:

    tangent (x) = opposite / adjacent

    The tangent function is represented by a graph that plots the ratio of the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. The tangent function is defined for all real numbers except for those where the denominator, adjacent, is equal to 0. The range of the tangent function is (-infinity, infinity).

    The tangent function has many applications in mathematics and physics. In calculus, the tangent function is used to find derivatives and slopes of curves. In physics, the tangent function is used in wave propagation and projectile motion.

    Domain and Range of Tangent Function

    The domain of the tangent function is all real numbers. The range of the tangent function is all real numbers except for those points where the tangent function is undefined. The points where the tangent function is undefined are called asymptotes. The asymptotes of the tangent function are the x-axis and the y-axis.

    Properties of Tangent Function

    The tangent function is a mathematical function that calculates the ratio between the side adjacent to an angle and the side opposite to that angle. In other words, it quantifies how steep a line is in relation to the x-axis. The tangent is represented by the mathematical symbol tan. The inverse of the tangent function is called cotangent, which quantifies the amount of curvature in a line as opposed to its steepness.

    When graphed on a coordinate plane, the tangent function produces a periodic curve. The amplitude of this curve (the distance from the center to either peak) is always 1. The period of the curve (the distance between peaks) is always ? (pi). This means that the graph of the tangent function will always look like a wave with peaks at regular intervals.

    The most important property of the tangent function is that it is undefined at certain angles, known as singularities. These angles are 0°, 180°, –180°, 360°, –360°, and all angles that are integer multiples of these values (such as 720° or –540°). This means that you cannot use the tangent function to calculate the slope of a line at these angles.

    Types of Tangent Functions

    There are three types of tangent functions: the secant function, the cosecant function, and the cotangent function.

    The secant function is defined as 1/cos(x). The graph of the secant function is a sinusoidal wave. The domain of the secant function is all real numbers except for where cos(x)=0, which is at pi/2, 3pi/2, 5pi/2, etc. The range of the secant function is also all real numbers except for where cos(x)=0.

    The cosecant function is defined as 1/sin(x). The graph of the cosecant function is a sinusoidal wave. The domain of the cosecant function is all real numbers except for where sin(x)=0, which is at 0, pi, 2pi, etc. The range of the cosecant function is also all real numbers except for where sin(x)=0.

    The cotangent function is defined as 1/tan(x). The graph of the cotangent function is a line. The domain of the cotangent function is all real numbers except for where tan(x)=0, which is at pi/4, 3pi/4, 5pi/4, etc. The range of the cotangent function is also all real numbers except for where tan(x)=0

    How to Use a Tangent Function

    To use a tangent function, input the angle in radians into the function. The result will be the ratio of the side opposite of the angle to the side adjacent to the angle. This can be written as a fraction, with the numerator being the length of the side opposite of the angle, and the denominator being the length of the side adjacent to it.

    Tangent Function Examples

    The tangent function is a mathematical function that measures the angle between two lines. The function can be used to calculate the angles of objects in two-dimensional space, as well as the angles of objects in three-dimensional space. The tangent function is represented by the symbol “tan” and is written as tan(?) = y/x, where ? is the angle between the lines, y is the y-coordinate of the point where the lines intersect, and x is the x-coordinate of the point where the lines intersect.

    There are a variety of ways to use the tangent function. One way is to find the angle between two lines that intersect at a point. To do this, simply take the inverse tangent of the slope of one line divided by the slope of the other line. For example, if one line has a slope of 2 and another line has a slope of 1, then the angle between those lines would be tan-1(2/1), or 45 degrees.

    Another way to use the tangent function is to find the angle between a line and a curve. To do this, take the derivative of the equation for the curve and then take the inverse tangent of that result. For example, if you have a curve represented by the equation y = x2 + 3, then you would take its derivative, which would be 2x + 0.

    Conclusion

    The tangent function is a mathematical function that calculates the slope of a line tangent to a curve at a given point. In other words, it tells you how steep the curve is at any given point. The tangent function is important in calculus and other branches of mathematics, and it has a number of applications in the real world.


    Tangent Function

    Plots

    Plots

    Plots

    Alternate form assuming x is real

    sin(2 x)/(cos(2 x) + 1)

    Alternate forms

    sin(x)/cos(x)

    (i (e^(-i x) - e^(i x)))/(e^(-i x) + e^(i x))

    Roots

    x = π n, n element Z

    Integer root

    x = 0

    Properties as a real function

    {x element R : x/π + 1/2 not element Z}

    R (all real numbers)

    periodic in x with period π

    surjective onto R

    odd

    Series expansion at x = 0

    x + x^3/3 + (2 x^5)/15 + O(x^6)
(Taylor series)

    Derivative

    d/dx(tan(x)) = sec^2(x)

    Indefinite integral

    integral tan(x) dx = -log(cos(x)) + constant
(assuming a complex-valued logarithm)

    Identities

    tan(x) = tan(m π + x) for m element Z

    tan(x) = -cot(2 x) + csc(2 x)

    tan(x) = (1 - cos(2 x)) csc(2 x)

    tan(x) = sin(2 x)/(1 + cos(2 x))

    tan(x) = -(2 tan(x/2))/(-1 + tan^2(x/2))

    tan(x) = (2 tan(x/2))/(1 - tan^2(x/2))

    tan(x) = (x sqrt(-tan^2(x)))/sqrt(-x^2)

    tan(x) = (sec(x/3) sin(x))/(-1 + 2 cos((2 x)/3))

    Alternative representations

    tan(x) = 1/cot(x)

    tan(x) = cot(π/2 - x)

    tan(x) = -cot(π/2 + x)

    Series representations

    tan(x) = i + 2 i sum_(k=1)^∞ (-1)^k q^(2 k) for q = e^(i x)

    tan(x) = i sum_(k=-∞)^∞ (-1)^k e^(2 i k x) sgn(k)

    tan(x) = -i + 2 i sum_(k=0)^∞ (-1)^k e^(-2 i (1 + k) x) for Im(x)<0

    Integral representations

    tan(x) = integral_0^x sec^2(t) dt

    tan(x) = 2/π integral_0^∞ (-1 + t^((2 x)/π))/(-1 + t^2) dt for 0<Re(x)<π/2

    Find the right fit or it’s free.

    We guarantee you’ll find the right tutor, or we’ll cover the first hour of your lesson.