Definition of Tangent
Tangent
tan·gent
Definition/Meaning
(noun)
broadly, a sudden change in the course of a train of thought or action so that it goes in a completely different direction;
e.g. He went off on a tangent about a new restaurant he had tried.
(noun)
a straight line that touches a curved line or surface at one point and does not intersect it even when extended;
e.g. The ground functions as a tangent to a circular wheel rolling on it.
(noun)
(mathematics) the ratio between the sides that are opposite and adjacent to a particular angle in a right angled triangle, serving as a trigonometric function;
e.g. If you find the tangent of this angle, it will help you solve the problem.
(adjective)
touching a curve or a curved surface but not intersecting with it;
e.g. He drew a tangent ray on the geometric diagram.
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