Right-triangle trigonometry, step by step
Once a triangle has a right angle, one more angle or one more side pins down the rest.
The question
degrees
Find the angle: opposite 11, adjacent 6
tan x=11 ÷ 6
x=tan⁻¹(11 ÷ 6)
x=61°
- You know the two legs: the side opposite the angle is 11, and the side next to it (adjacent) is 6. Opposite over adjacent is the tangent.
- To undo the tangent, use inverse tangent (tan⁻¹ on the calculator): x = tan⁻¹(11 ÷ 6).
- That is 61° to the nearest degree.
How it works.
- 01
You know the two legs: the side opposite the angle is 11, and the side next to it (adjacent) is 6. Opposite over adjacent is the tangent.
- 02
To undo the tangent, use inverse tangent (tan⁻¹ on the calculator): x = tan⁻¹(11 ÷ 6).
- 03
That is 61° to the nearest degree.