ACT Trig Problem

Test Preparation ACT Preparation
1

I’m a sophomore practicing for the act using the PR Cracking the ACT. There is a trig problem that is confusing me very much.
For x, an angle whose measure is between 270 and 300 degrees, cosx = 5/13. Which of the following equals to tan x?

F. -5/12
G. -5/13
H. 5/13
J. 5/12
K. 12/13

Turns out that the answer is F, but i don’t understand the explanation that Princeton review gives. I get that it is a negative degree, but i’m lost from there. Thanks :slight_smile:

2

Are you sure you typed the question correctly? Because I got -12/5 as my answer.

I think cot(x) is -5/12, which is where you can get answer choice F. But I’m not sure about tan(x).

I’m probably not seeing something correctly…

3

@AnEpicIndian That’s the answer i got too so i’m not sure if the book got it wrong or if i’m missing something

4

yes, you guys are right. cot(x) = -5/12 and tan(x) = -12/5

5

Thanks guys. The book got it wrong then :slight_smile:

6

:((