# Trig and geometry problems

• June 30th 2012, 08:12 AM
Pat722
Trig and geometry problems
given y = 5x and y = .5x, When the these lines cross, what is the value of tan theta?
• June 30th 2012, 08:38 AM
richard1234
Re: Trig and geometry problems
Assuming $\theta$ is the first-quadrant angle between the two lines, suppose that $\alpha$ is the first-quadrant angle between the x-axis and the line y = 0.5. Then,

$\tan \alpha = 0.5$, and
$\tan (\alpha + \theta) = 5$.

Also, $\tan (\alpha + \theta) = \frac{\tan \alpha + \tan \theta}{1 - \tan \alpha \tan \theta} = 5$.

Replace $\tan \alpha$ with 0.5, then solve for $\tan \theta$.
• June 30th 2012, 09:59 AM
Plato
Re: Trig and geometry problems
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat722
given y = 5x and y = .5x, When the these lines cross, what is the value of tan theta?

Here is a simple way.
$\theta=\arctan(5)-\arctan(0.5)$
• June 30th 2012, 10:04 AM
richard1234
Re: Trig and geometry problems
Darn, should've thought of that. (Headbang) Good solution.