Thread: problem solving basic tan equation!

Hi all,

I have an equation which I cannot solve. I have the values and the answer, but I am unable to recreate it myself. Any help would be appreciated as I need to apply this to my own numbers....

To calculate an angle (A) = tanH/(D-d)

Where H=1.5, D= 2.5 and d=0.5. The answer I have been given is 56 degrees.

I have tried every combination of things and am getting nowhere in recreating the answer, can someone tell me what I am doing wrong?

Thanks in advance,
E

Imo the question is not clear.
Is the equation:

?
If you know then you can enter them in the given equation.

I don't know, the equation posted is exactly how it is written in the article I got it from. However, as I said, I have tried different combinations and still am not getting the answer (including from your suggestion).

Perhaps I need a step by step - calculator-type instruction because I must be missing something somewhere for it not to work...

Code:

tan ( 1 . 5) / (2 . 5 - 0 . 5 )

Some calculators demand the argument of the tan first so in that case do 1.5 tan

That being said I get an answer of A = 0.0131 (3sf)


What are your units? As it stands tan(H) is dimensionless so what are D and d

I suppose the given information are in radians ...
I would say:
°

The dimensions of H, D and d are all in km.