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).
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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.