Trigonometry Doubt

Question

When finding a side of triangle with given side and angle is it necessary for the unknown value to stay at the top of the fraction, what i mean is for eg --> if the formula is Tan 37 = 8/x , IS IT NECESSARY FOR THE X TO BE AT THE TOP like Cot 37 = x/8? if it doesn't, will the working change?

Answer 1

Just perform whatever algebraic operations are needed to end up with an equation that has only x on one side and just numbers on the other side.  For example, if

 

tan37 = 8/x

 

but you want to find x, then take the reciprocal of both sides and get

 

cot37 = x/8

 

Then multiply by 8 to get 

 

x = 8 cot37