SOLUTION: I just need to know if the slope of a line can be found using m=sin(theta)/cos(theta), where m is the slope (of course I will substitute a value for theta).

Question 884604: I just need to know if the slope of a line can be found using m=sin(theta)/cos(theta), where m is the slope (of course I will substitute a value for theta).
Answer by Theo(13342) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the slope of a line is equal to the change in the value of y divided by the change in the value of x.

let the change in the value of x be identified as dx.

let the change in the value of y be identified as dy.

slope is equal to dy/dx.

if your angle is at the vertex of dy and dx, and you call that angle theta, then:

sin(theta) = dy/h

cos(theta) = dx/h

h represents the hypotenuse.

this means that dy = h * sin(theta) and dx = h * cos(theta)

then dy/dx = h * sin(theta) / (h * cos(theta) which simplifies to:

dy/dx = sin(theta) / cos(theta)

this means that, yes you can.

in fact, all you need to do is find tan(theta) since tan(theta) is equal to sin(theta) / cos(theta).

the attached picture shows an example of what i mean.

the angle is labeled A instead of theta.

$$$

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