noun a completely different line of thought or action
In trigonometry, a tangent is a line that touches a curve at a single point without crossing it.
In engineering, tangent is used in various calculations and designs, such as in determining slopes and angles.
In physics, tangent can refer to the trigonometric function that relates the opposite side of a right triangle to its adjacent side.
In geometry, a tangent is a line that intersects a circle or curve at exactly one point.
In writing, 'tangent' can refer to a sudden change in topic or direction within a piece of writing, often used to explore related ideas or provide additional context.
Psychologists may use the term 'tangent' to describe a client's tendency to veer off topic during therapy sessions, which can provide insights into their thought processes and emotions.
In mathematics, a 'tangent' is a straight line that touches a curve at a single point, used to calculate the slope of the curve at that point.
Engineers may use 'tangent' to describe a line that intersects a curve or surface at only one point, often used in calculations for designing structures or machinery.
Teachers may use 'tangent' when discussing trigonometry, where it refers to the ratio of the length of the side opposite an acute angle to the length of the adjacent side in a right triangle.