Precalculus: Slope and Tangent

Objectives

• Students will understand and be able to explain the relationship between the slope of a line and the tangent of the angle between the line and the horizontal.
• Students will be able to apply the relationship between the slope of a line and the tangent of the angle between the line and the horizontal to real life problems.

Vocabulary

• tangent
• slope
• angle of elevation

About the Lesson

This lesson provides opportunities for students to explore the connections between the slope of a line and the tangent of the angle between the line and the horizontal.

• Students drag a point to change the y-intercept of a line and drag the line to change the slope. The resulting equation of the line and the tangent of the angle between the line and the horizontal are displayed.
• Students explore the connection between the sine of the angle between a line and the horizontal and the slope of the line.
• Students apply the understanding of the slope of a line and the angle between the line and the horizontal to real life situations.