Thread: tan alpha = 1/2

I don't know the correct terms in english, but i think it's something like this:

tan alpha = 1/2

I have absolutely no idea how to calculate this. Presumably this follows:

alpha = cot 1/2

But my calculator doesn't have this function, so how do I solve this problem?



Thank you for helping

hi Trikotnik

that is not correct.you have to use the arctan(x) function which is the inverse of tan(x),whereas the cot(x) function is 1/tan(x).

Inverse trigonometric functions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Don't forget there're infinite solutions therefore:


Like anonimnystefy said if you want to enter cot(...) in your calculator just enter 1/tan(...)

@anonimnystefy

Yup, I dun goofed. This was my first thought, but the result on my calculator was somehow always wrong. Turns out something that should not have been was turned on. Tried the equation on another calculator and surprise surprise, it's correct.

So:

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

alpha = 26°34 '


Thanks for your help