# Math Help - How do you convert an angle to a fraction?

1. ## How do you convert an angle to a fraction?

Okay, the question says to find the value of "tan" - I did and it was 40 degrees. But the options are all in fractions... none of which convert to 40. I am stumped... I'm thinking there must be some sort of trick to this that I'm not getting... please help me.

2. Originally Posted by ineedhelp87
Okay, the question says to find the value of "tan" - I did and it was 40 degrees. But the options are all in fractions... none of which convert to 40. I am stumped... I'm thinking there must be some sort of trick to this that I'm not getting... please help me.
then you made an error. tangent is a ratio ... not an angle.

3. Thank you... I just realized my mistake. I feel a bit silly. But I still need help. So, tan is the opposite side over the adjecent side, which in this triangle - http://i32.tinypic.com/11i21as.jpg - is 10/15. How can I convert this?

4. Options are square root of 11 / 5, square root of 11 / 6, 5/6, and 6/5.

5. Originally Posted by ineedhelp87
Thank you... I just realized my mistake. I feel a bit silly. But I still need help. So, tan is the opposite side over the adjecent side, which in this triangle - http://i32.tinypic.com/11i21as.jpg - is 10/15. How can I convert this?
find the opposite side using Pythagoras.

6. I did and it was 10...

7. Originally Posted by ineedhelp87
I did and it was 10...
the opposite side is not 10 ...

$\sqrt{18^2 - 15^2} = \sqrt{99} = 3\sqrt{11}$

$\tan{\theta} = \frac{3\sqrt{11}}{15} = \frac{\sqrt{11}}{5}
$