Secant: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ด
secant
[ หsiหk(ษ)nt ]
mathematics
In trigonometry, a secant is a line that intersects a curve at two or more points. It is the reciprocal of the cosine function.
Synonyms
curve intersection, line
Examples of usage
- The secant of an angle in a right triangle is the ratio of the hypotenuse to the adjacent side.
- The secant function is used to calculate the lengths of segments in a circle intersected by a line.
geometry
In geometry, a secant is a line that intersects a circle at two points.
Synonyms
chord, intersecting line
Examples of usage
- The secant of a circle creates a chord connecting the two intersection points.
- A secant line can be used to find the tangent of a circle at a specific point.
physics
In physics, a secant is a straight line that connects two points on a curve or a graph.
Synonyms
average line, connecting line
Examples of usage
- The secant of a velocity-time graph represents the average velocity over a specified time interval.
- The secant line on a displacement-time graph shows the average speed of an object.
Translations
Translations of the word "secant" in other languages:
๐ต๐น secante
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคเฅเคเค
๐ฉ๐ช Sekante
๐ฎ๐ฉ secant
๐บ๐ฆ ัะตะบะฐะฝั
๐ต๐ฑ sekant
๐ฏ๐ต ใปใซใณใ
๐ซ๐ท sรฉcante
๐ช๐ธ secante
๐น๐ท sekant
๐ฐ๐ท ์์ปจํธ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงูู ู ุงุณ
๐จ๐ฟ sekant
๐ธ๐ฐ sekant
๐จ๐ณ ๅฒ็บฟ
๐ธ๐ฎ sekant
๐ฎ๐ธ sekant
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะตะบะฐะฝั
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแแแขแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sekant
๐ฒ๐ฝ secante
Word origin
The word 'secant' comes from the Latin word 'secare', meaning 'to cut'. The term was first used in mathematics to describe a line cutting a curve. It has since been widely used in trigonometry, geometry, and physics to represent intersecting lines or curves. The concept of secant has played a significant role in various fields of mathematics and science.
See also: dissect, dissection, intersect, sect, sectarian, section, sections, sector.