Cotangent vs. Tangent — What's the Difference?

The reciprocal of the tangent of an angle in a right triangle.

In geometry, the tangent line (or simply tangent) to a plane curve at a given point is the straight line that "just touches" the curve at that point. Leibniz defined it as the line through a pair of infinitely close points on the curve.

The tangent of the complement of a directed angle or arc.

A line, curve, or surface meeting another line, curve, or surface at a common point and sharing a common tangent line or tangent plane at that point.

(trigonometry) In a right triangle, the reciprocal of the tangent of an angle. Symbols: cot, ctg, or ctn Category:en:Trigonometric functions

Abbr. tan The trigonometric function of an acute angle in a right triangle that is the ratio of the length of the side opposite the angle to the length of the side adjacent to the angle.

The tangent of the complement of an arc or angle. See Illust. of Functions.

A sudden digression or change of course

Ratio of the adjacent to the opposite side of a right-angled triangle

(Music) An upright pin in a keyboard instrument, especially in a clavichord, that rises to sound a string when a key is depressed and stops the string at a preset length to set the pitch.

Making contact at a single point or along a line; touching but not intersecting.

(differential geometry) A straight line touching a curve at a single point without crossing it there.

(math) A function of an angle that gives the ratio of the sine to the cosine, in either the real or complex numbers. Symbols: tan, tg. Category:en:Trigonometric functions

A topic nearly unrelated to the main topic, but having a point in common with it.

(art) A visual interaction between two or more lines or edges that creates a perceived relationship between them, often in a way that the artist did not intend.

(music) A small metal blade in a clavichord that strikes the strings to produce sound.

(geometry) Touching a curve at a single point but not crossing it at that point.

Of a topic, only loosely related to a main topic.

Straight; not horizontally curved.

A tangent line curve, or surface; specifically, that portion of the straight line tangent to a curve that is between the point of tangency and a given line, the given line being, for example, the axis of abscissas, or a radius of a circle produced. See Trigonometrical function, under Function.

Touching; touching at a single point

A straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point

Ratio of the opposite to the adjacent side of a right-angled triangle