Why does tanx = sinx/cosx ?

This identity can easily be shown by asking the student to draw a right-angled triangle, with one of the remaing two angles labelled x, and labelling the respective oppposite, adjacent and hypotenuse sides O, A and H. Then I ask them to write down what sinx and cosx equal with respect to their diagram (O'H and A/H). I proceed to ask them to write sinx/cosx in terms of O, A and H and simplify the fraction. They will then end up with O/A, which they realise is tanx from their own diagram.I really enjoy when students ask me this as it's a chance for them to discover an impactful result on their own using some very basic maths.

SR

Related Further Mathematics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

y = (x+4)(6x-7). By differentiating, find the x coordinate of the maximum of this equation.


Find and describe the stationary points of the curve y = x^2 + 2x - 8


Given y=x^3-x^2+6x-1, use diffferentiation to find the gradient of the normal at (1,5).


f(x) = 3x^3 – x^2 – 20x – 12 (a) Use the factor theorem to show that (3x + 2) is a factor of f(x). [2 marks] (b) Factorise f(x) fully. [3 marks]