Sine, Cosine and Tangent are the main functions used in Trigonometry and are based on a Right-Angled Triangle. Before getting stuck into the functions, it helps to give a name to each side of a right …

The graph of tangent is periodic, meaning that it repeats itself indefinitely. Unlike sine and cosine however, tangent has asymptotes separating each of its periods.

In geometry, the tangent line (or simply tangent) to a plane curve at a given point is, intuitively, the straight line that "just touches" the curve at that point.

Jan 2, 2026 · The tangent is one of the six fundamental trigonometric functions in mathematics. In a right triangle, it is the ratio of the length of the side opposite a given angle to the length of the side …

The meaning of TANGENT is an abrupt change of course : digression. How to use tangent in a sentence.

Idiom go off on a tangent (Definition of tangent from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

off on or at a tangent, digressing suddenly from one course of action or thought and turning to another.

A tangent touches a curve at exactly one point, while a secant crosses through a curve at two points. Think of a tangent as a gentle touch and a secant as a straight cut through the curve.

The word "tangent" comes from the Latin "tangere," meaning "to touch." Geometrically, the tangent is a line segment perpendicular to the x-axis, originating at point C and intersecting the extended side OP.

In trigonometry, the tangent of an angle is the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. In other words, it is the ratio of sine and cosine function of an acute angle such that …