Question

How do you solve `cot 2a = 5/12`?

Answer 1

`cot 2a = 1/(tan 2a) = 5/12`

`tan 2a = 12/5 = 2.4`.

Calculator gives 2a = 67.38 -->`a = 33.69` deg

Trig unit circle gives another arc that has the same (tan 2a) value:

2a = 67.38 + 180 = 247.38.. ->`a = 123.69`

Answer 2

`cot 2alpha` implies cotangent of angle `2alpha`, therefore `2alpha`= arc tan `12/5` and that works out to 67.38 degree. So, `alpha` =33.69 degrees