How do you calculate #tan(cos^-1(-3/5))#?

1 Answer
Jul 22, 2015

#tan(cos^(-1)(-3/5)) = +- 4/3#

Explanation:

If #cos(theta) = -3/5#
then #theta# must be one of the angles indicated in the diagram below (either in the second or third quadrant).

Both associate triangles are standard #3-4-5# right angled triangles
and depending upon whether the angle is in the second or third quadrant,
the #tan# will be either #4/5# or #-4/5#
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