SOLUTION: can anyone explain why the tangent of 45 degrees = 1 I have looked in all my math books and can't find the answer anywhere. Thanks

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Question 35852: can anyone explain why the tangent of 45 degrees = 1
I have looked in all my math books and can't find the answer anywhere.
Thanks
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Draw a right triangle having an angle of 45 degrees.
The 3rd angle must also be 45 degrees because the
angles must add up to 180 degrees.
Therefore you have an isosceles right triangle.
The tangent of the 45 degree angle equals the ratio
of the side opposite divided by the side adjacent.
But those are the equal sides of the isosceles rt.
triangle. Since the sides are equal the ratio is "1".
Therefore the tangent of 45 degrees is "1".
Cheers,
stan H.