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An Angle From a Slope

Part of the Trig Equations and Inverses section of Coddy's Trigonometry journey. Lesson 13 of 56.

A slope is a tangent. A road that rises 3 m for every 50 m along the level has tan(θ) = 3/50, and its angle is arctan(0.06), 3.43° to two places. Signs that say 6% mean this ratio, 6 up per 100 along.

A right triangle with the rise 3 opposite θ and the run 50 next to it

On the board you name the ratio, the board writes the equation, and arctan finds the angle. In a right triangle the angle lies in (0°, 90°), so there is one answer.

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Challenge

A wheelchair ramp may rise at most 1 m for every 12 m along the ground. The triangle is on the board. Name the ratio for θ, solve for θ to two decimal places, and press Check.

Try it yourself

Use the figure to find theta

Use the figure to find theta

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Trig Equations and Inverses