Prove tan a = 2 in isos. triangle w/ P(-2,0), Q(2,8), R, base angle "a"

[pitaya]

This is third section of this question, the first two involved finding the midpoint and equation of PQ. I'm stumped on where to even start. Should I be looking at figuring out R? I know its y-point is 0, and I know the gradient of QR (inverse of PQ ) and therefore equation of QR. Even just advice on where I should be looking at to begin would be super helpful.

Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 4993]

This is third section of this question, the first two involved finding the midpoint and equation of PQ. I'm stumped on where to even start. Should I be looking at figuring out R? I know its y-point is 0, and I know the gradient of QR (inverse of PQ ) and therefore equation of QR. Even just advice on where I should be looking at to begin would be super helpful.

Thanks!

What is the slope of the line PQ?

 

[yma16]

you can get the solution by the definition of tan

This is third section of this question, the first two involved finding the midpoint and equation of PQ. I'm stumped on where to even start. Should I be looking at figuring out R? I know its y-point is 0, and I know the gradient of QR (inverse of PQ ) and therefore equation of QR. Even just advice on where I should be looking at to begin would be super helpful.

Thanks!

If you draw a vertical from Q down to touching the x-axis at a new point S, you will get a right triangle PQS. What are the coordinates of S? What then is the length of PS? What is the length of QS? From this, you can find the value of the tangent by using the definition of the tangent ratio.

 

[pitaya]

Thank you both so much! Managed to prove it!