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If tan(x) = 1/2, what is sec(x) ?

 Mar 13, 2015

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+118587 
+10

Decide what quadrants this can be in.  Decide if sec can be pos or neg or either.

NOW

Draw a tight angled triangle.

Label one of the acute angles x

 

now      $$tan x = \frac{1}{2}=\frac{opp}{adj}$$

 

label the opp side as 1   and the adj side as 2,   work out the 3rdside using the Pythagorean theorem.

 

$$sec(x)=\frac{1}{cos(x)}=\frac{hyp}{adj}$$        now just take the values from your triangle.    :))

 Mar 13, 2015
 #1
avatar+118587 
+10
Best Answer

Decide what quadrants this can be in.  Decide if sec can be pos or neg or either.

NOW

Draw a tight angled triangle.

Label one of the acute angles x

 

now      $$tan x = \frac{1}{2}=\frac{opp}{adj}$$

 

label the opp side as 1   and the adj side as 2,   work out the 3rdside using the Pythagorean theorem.

 

$$sec(x)=\frac{1}{cos(x)}=\frac{hyp}{adj}$$        now just take the values from your triangle.    :))

Melody Mar 13, 2015

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