# Definition:Tangent Function/Definition from Circle

## Definition

Consider a unit circle $C$ whose center is at the origin of a cartesian coordinate plane.

Let $P$ be the point on $C$ in the first quadrant such that $\theta$ is the angle made by $OP$ with the $x$-axis.

Let a tangent line be drawn to touch $C$ at $A = \left({1, 0}\right)$.

Let $OP$ be produced to meet this tangent line at $B$.

Then the tangent of $\theta$ is defined as the length of $AB$.

Consider a unit circle $C$ whose center is at the origin of a cartesian coordinate plane.

Let $P$ be the point on $C$ in the second quadrant such that $\theta$ is the angle made by $OP$ with the $x$-axis.

Let a tangent line be drawn to touch $C$ at $A = \left({1, 0}\right)$.

Let $OP$ be produced to meet this tangent line at $B$.

Then the tangent of $\theta$ is defined as the length of $AB$.

Consider a unit circle $C$ whose center is at the origin of a cartesian coordinate plane.

Let $P$ be the point on $C$ in the third quadrant such that $\theta$ is the angle made by $OP$ with the $x$-axis.

Let a tangent line be drawn to touch $C$ at $A = \left({1, 0}\right)$.

Let $OP$ be produced to meet this tangent line at $B$.

Then the tangent of $\theta$ is defined as the length of $AB$.

Consider a unit circle $C$ whose center is at the origin of a cartesian coordinate plane.
Let $P$ be the point on $C$ in the fourth quadrant such that $\theta$ is the angle made by $OP$ with the $x$-axis.
Let a tangent line be drawn to touch $C$ at $A = \left({1, 0}\right)$.
Let $OP$ be produced to meet this tangent line at $B$.
Then the tangent of $\theta$ is defined as the length of $AB$.