So I am starting a new section. I don't really get this tan stuff but here is the situation

There is a example.

Example: tan A=0.25
Answer: Angle A=14.036 degrees

If I type in solve(tan(x)=0.25,x) into my calculator, it just comes up with a lot of random numbers.

But...

If I type in solve(tan(14.036)=x,x) it gets about 0.25. Why is it that I can do it one way but not the other way?

So if I have tan B=0.1, how could I find out angle B?

Thanks for the help:)

It all depends on how your calculator is set to accept you entering the data.
See the operation manual of your calculator.
.
... solve(tan(14.036)=x,x) it gets about 0.25.
That works because tan is an angle function, i.e. of the "A=14.036 degrees".

... solve(tan(x)=0.25,x)...
And here you ask the calculator to solve tan from tan...

Find in the calculators manual how to solve the angle from tan.

Success

:)

from my casio fx-100AU calculator you type in:

SOLVING TAN B = 0.1
SHIFT TAN (it gives tan^-1) then key in 0.1

you get 5.710593138

now press the degree,minute, second key and you get 5'42'38.14'
this means B = 5 degrees, 42 minutes, 38.15 seconds