Question

In ΔCDE, the measure of ∠E=90°, ED = 28, CE = 45, and DC = 53. What ratio represents the tangent of ∠C?

Answer 1

Answer:  28/45

Explanation:

Angle E is 90 degrees. The segment DC = 53 is opposite this angle. Note how "DC" does not contain the letter "E". Furthermore, note how this is the largest side. So it's the hypotenuse.

The side ED = 28 is the opposite side of reference angle C, because "C" is nowhere to be found in the sequence "ED".

The side CE = 45 is the adjacent side because "E" is found in "CE".

The tangent ratio is...

tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent

tan(C) = ED/CE

tan(C) = 28/45