Chapter 4.1 – Angles and Their Measures
Chapter 4.2 – Trigonometric Functions of Acute Angles
Chapter 4.3 – Trigonometry Extended: The Circular Functions
Chapter 4.4 – Graphs of Sine and Cosine: Sinusoids
Chapter 4.5 – Graphs of Tangent, Cotangent, Secant, and Cosecant
Chapter 4.6 – Graphs of Composite Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 4.7 – Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 4.8 – Solving Problems with Trigonometry
Chapter 4 – Trigonometric Functions
You probably recall some trigonometry from Geometry class, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.
In this unit and the next (chapters 4 & 5 in your textbook) we will explore trigonometry in depth.
Near the beginning of this unit we'll review the trigonometry of right triangles that are likely familiar to you, but we'll also introduce radian measure ("grown folk math") which, by the time we get to calculus, will almost entirely replace the degree measure that you're more comfortable with ("lil' kiddie math"). We'll then transition to right triangles on the x-y plane, where side lengths can be either positive or negative, which will then lead us to sine waves and other trigonometry graphs. We'll then extend our problem-solving tools with inverse trig functions and a variety of applications. Then in the next unit we will continue to add to these concepts with "analytic trigonometry."
Did you catch my implication that each topic will build on the previous ones? What that means to you as a student: It is absolutely imperative that you do whatever it takes to stay caught up in this unit! If you don't understand the content in chapter 4.1 and 4.2, then 4.3 will quickly become very confusing... and 4.4 and 4.5 will make no sense... and 4.6 through 4.8 will be absolutely baffling... and then chapter 5 will leave you weeping in a corner. Get the idea? Please do yourself a favor and ensure a good experience by coming to office hours (or NHS tutoring, or LRC tutoring) and quickly seeking help whenever you find the material to be confusing.