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Tangent |
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tangent, in mathematics.
1 In geometry, the tangent to a circle circle, closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from some fixed point, called the center. A circle is a conic section cut by a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cone. 2 A trigonometric function. See trigonometry trigonometry [Gr.,=measurement of triangles], a specialized area of geometry concerned with the properties of and relations among the parts of a triangle. Spherical trigonometry is concerned with the study of triangles on the surface of a sphere rather than in the tangent 1. a geometric line, curve, plane, or curved surface that touches another curve or surface at one point but does not intersect it 2. (of an angle) a trigonometric function that in a right-angled triangle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to that of the adjacent side; the ratio of sine to cosine 3. Music a part of the action of a clavichord consisting of a small piece of metal that strikes the string to produce a note tangent [′tan·jənt] (mathematics) A line is tangent to a curve at a fixed pointPif it is the limiting position of a line passing throughPand a variable point on the curveQ,asQapproachesP. The function which is the quotient of the sine function by the cosine function. Abbreviated tan. The tangent of an angle is the ratio of its sine and cosine. Abbreviated tan. tangent Of lines, curves, and surfaces: meeting at a single point and having, at that point, the same direction. Tangent a trigonometric function. Its abbreviation is tan. The tangent of an acute angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the leg opposite the angle to the leg adjacent to the angle. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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