The cotangent function, denoted as cot(θ), is a trigonometric ratio that relates the angles and sides of a right triangle. It is defined as the ratio of the length of the adjacent side to the length of the opposite side. In mathematical terms, this is expressed as cot(θ) = adjacent/opposite. In a right triangle, if you know the lengths of the sides, you can easily calculate cot(θ). This function is particularly useful in various applications, including geometry, physics, and engineering, where understanding the relationships between angles and sides is essential.