If a and b are the measures of two first quadrant angles and sin a = 4/5 and sin b = 5/13, find tan(a-b)

We have the formula tan( a- b ) = ( tan a - tan b ) / ( 1 + tan a· tan b );
We use the formula (sin x)^2 + (cos x)^2 = 1;
Because sin a = 4/5 we have cos a = 3/5; then tan a = sin a / cos a = 4 / 3;
Because sin b = 5 / 13 we have cos b = 12 / 13; then tan b = sin b / cos b = 5 /12;
Finally, tan ( a - b ) = ( 4 / 3 - 5 / 12 ) / ( 1 + (4 / 3)·( 5 / 12 ) ) = ( 9 / 12 ) / ( 1 + 5 / 9 ) = ( 3 / 4 ) / ( 14 / 9 ) = ( 3 / 4 )·( 9 / 14 ) = 27 / 56.