Angle between function and axis

In summary, the angle between the function y=\sqrt{3}x and the Ox axis is \frac{\pi}{3}. This can be found by calculating the tangent of the angle between the function and the x-axis, which is also the same as the tangent of the angle between the tangent line at x=0 and the x-axis. By using trigo and drawing a triangle, it can be determined that the tangent of the angle is \sqrt{3}, which leads to the angle being \frac{\pi}{3}.
  • #1
fermio
38
0

Homework Statement


What angle is between function [tex]y=\sqrt{3}x[/tex] and Ox axis?


Homework Equations


For example is logicaly clear that angle between function y=x is 45 degrees or [tex]\frac{\pi}{4}[/tex]


The Attempt at a Solution



I just know that answer is [tex]\frac{\pi}{3}[/tex], but can't understand how to get it.
 
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  • #2
Hint: the angle between the function and the x-axis is the same angle as between the tangent line at x = 0 and the x-axis (draw a picture to see why).
Can you solve it now?
 
  • #3
If x=0 then y=0. I can't understand. More concretly, how to calculate it?
 
  • #4
Why do you need to set x,y=0? The question is why the angle between the line graph and the axis is pi/3, not the angle between the point (0,0) and the x-axis, which doesn't make sense. You can see that the graph is a line right? Now, let theta be the angle between the line and the x-axis. Do you know of way to find theta using trigo? You'll have to draw a triangle to see it.
 
  • #5
The slope of a line, such as y= x, is than tangent of the angle between the line and the x-axis. As you said before, the angle between the line y= x and the x-axis is [itex]\pi/4[/itex]. tan([itex]\pi/4[/itex])= 1. What is the slope of y= [itex]\sqrt{3}[/itex] x? What angle has that tangent?
 
  • #6
[tex]\arctan\sqrt{3}=\frac{\pi}{3}[/tex]
 
  • #7
Defennnder said:
Why do you need to set x,y=0? The question is why the angle between the line graph and the axis is pi/3, not the angle between the point (0,0) and the x-axis, which doesn't make sense.
Sorry, I misread the question, I thought it said [tex]y = \sqrt{3x} = (3x)^{1/2}[/tex] instead of [tex]y = \sqrt{3}x = (3)^{1/2} \cdot x[/tex]. I had a picture in my mind of drawing the tangent line at the origin and then calculating the angle of that with the x-axis, which could of course be done at any point. But since the function is just a straight line, it doesn't matter in this case (y' does not depend on x)
 
  • #8
[tex]\tan\alpha=\frac{y}{x}=\frac{x\sqrt{3}}{x}=\sqrt{3}[/tex]
[tex]\alpha=\arctan \sqrt{3}=\frac{\pi}{3}[/tex]
 
  • #9
Yep, that's the way to get it.
 

Related to Angle between function and axis

1.

What is the angle between a function and an axis?

The angle between a function and an axis is the angle formed between the function and the x-axis or the y-axis. It measures the slope or direction of the function at a specific point.

2.

How is the angle between a function and an axis calculated?

The angle between a function and an axis is calculated using trigonometric functions such as tangent or arctangent. It can also be calculated by finding the slope of the function at a given point and using inverse trigonometric functions to determine the angle.

3.

What does a positive or negative angle between a function and an axis indicate?

A positive angle between a function and an axis indicates that the function is increasing or going in an upward direction. A negative angle indicates that the function is decreasing or going in a downward direction.

4.

Can the angle between a function and an axis be greater than 90 degrees?

Yes, the angle between a function and an axis can be greater than 90 degrees. This typically occurs when the function has a steep slope or is decreasing rapidly.

5.

How is the angle between a function and an axis used in mathematics or science?

The angle between a function and an axis is often used in calculus to find the rate of change or slope of a function. It is also used in physics to determine the direction and magnitude of forces acting on an object.

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