Value of tan 45°.

## The reasoning In a **45-45-90 triangle** (an isosceles right triangle), the two legs are equal. Let's say each leg = 1 unit. Remember: tan θ = opposite/adjacent For the 45° angle: - Opposite side = 1 - Adjacent side = 1 So tan 45° = 1/1 = **1** This is a **special angle** you must memorize! At 45°, you're creating a perfect square split diagonally — equal sides means the ratio is always 1. ## Why the wrong options tempt you **A) 0** — That's sin 0° or cos 90°. Students mix up their special angles. **B) 1/2** — No standard trig value gives this. You might be confusing it with sin 30° (which is 1/2). **D) √3** — This is tan 60°! The most common trap. Don't confuse 45° with 60°. ## Quick takeaway **45° gives you equality: tan 45° = 1 because opposite = adjacent in that special triangle.** Burn this into memory alongside tan 30° = 1/√3 and tan 60° = √3!