Question

triangle:
37 degree
9 adjacent
x opposite

tan (37) = x/9
9 * tan (37) = x
6.78 = x
x = 6.78

Which function should the student use?

a. sine
b. cosine
c. The student used the correct one

Answer 1

The student correctly used the tangent function to find the opposite side \( x \) in the right triangle scenario provided. The tangent function relates the opposite side to the adjacent side as follows:

\[
\tan(\theta) = \frac{\text{opposite}}{\text{adjacent}}
\]

So, in this case, the student correctly applied the formula:

\[
\tan(37^\circ) = \frac{x}{9}
\]

and solved for \( x \) as follows:

\[
x = 9 \cdot \tan(37^\circ)
\]

Therefore, the correct answer is:

c. The student used the correct one.