Trigonometry

Course Description

Trigonometry is a semester-long course that builds upon the concepts and skills learned in previous mathematics courses including Algebra 2 in particular. Trigonometry is literally the measure of trigons or triangles, including the relationships between their sides and the angles between these sides. It defines trigonometric functions which describe those relationships and have applicability to cyclical phenomena, such as oscillation and waves. It is used in acoustics, optics, electronics, astronomy, and many many more fields. Trigonometry topics will be examined numerically, analytically, graphically, and through applications. An important aspect of this course is the use of technology to enhance student learning and the development of the problem solving and communication abilities, which will be critical for student success in future math courses.

Prerequisites

You will need to have completed Algebra 2 or Functions prior to taking this course. Either of those requires Geometry, which in turn requires Algebra 1. Students who take this course usually follow it the second semester with College Algebra, Discrete Math, or Statistics. A diagram of the "math pathway" is available at the Math Department website which can be reached through a shortcut at the course website listed above.

Course Topics

The course consists of five units. Here is a sneak peek:

• 1. Right triangle trigonometry

  2. The unit circle

  3. Graphing

  4. Identities

  5. Solving trigonometric equations

For further details, see the attached syllabus.