find the tantheta of an angle in standard position if the te

find the tan(theta) of an angle in standard position if the terminal side passes through the point (4, -8)

Solution

Answer: -2 (As shown below)

The point given is (4,-8). So this triangle lies in the fourth quadrant with its base (that is 4 units) which forms one arm of the right angle, along the positive X-axis and the other arm (that is 8 units) at right angles to the X-axis, and opposite to the angle . So, tan() = -8 / 4 = - 2.