1.

0 Introduction of Trigonometry LIM YAN HONG

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between sides and
angles of triangles. Specifically, it focuses on right-angled triangles which is one of the angle
of the triangle is 90 degrees. The word “trigonometry” is come from the Greek words,
“trigōnon” which means triangle and “metron” which means measure. In the other words,
trigonometry is the study of the properties of triangles. If you know some facts about triangle,
such as the lengths of its sides, then using trigonometry you can find out other facts about it.
For example, if you know the lengths of sides then you can find the angles of the triangle.

2.0 Understanding Trigonometry

There are some concepts which are very important while study trigonometry. The concepts
are Trigonometric Ratios, Graph of Trigonometric Functions, Trigonometric Identities and
Solutions of Triangle.

a) Trigonometric Ratios

DIAGRAM 1: Trigonometric Ratios

Trigonometric ratios are the ratios between edges of a right-angled triangle. From
DIAGRAM 1, we know that,

Sine function (sin θ), defined as the ratio of the opposite to the hypotenuse. sin❑
Cosine function (cos ), defined as the ratio of the adjacent to the hypotenuse.
Tangent function (tan θ), defined as the ratio of the opposite to the adjacent.
tan❑The hypotenuse is the side opposite to the 90 degree angle in a right-angled
triangle and it is the longest side of the triangle. The reciprocals of these functions
are named the cosecant (csc θ), secant (sec θ), and cotangent (cot θ),
respectively:

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 csc θ
sin θ
sec θ
cos θ
cot θ
cot θ

Trigonometric ratios can also be represented using the unit circle, which is the circle of
radius 1 centred at the origin in the plane.

This representation allows for the calculation of commonly found trigonometric values, such
as those in the following table:

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b) Graph of Trigonometric Functions

There are 3 basic graph of trigonometric functions which are sine graph, cosine graph
and tangent graph.

DIAGRAM 2: Sine graph, Cosine graph and Tangent graph

c) Trigonometric Identities

DIAGRAM 3: Examples of trigonometric identities

d) Solutions of Triangle
There are 2 rules to solve the problems of triangle which are sine rule and cosine rule.
These 2 rules can be used to compute the remaining angles and sides of any triangle as
soon as two sides and their included angle or two angles and a side or three sides are
known.

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The Sine Rule is:
a b c
= =
sin A sin B sin C

3.0 The Applications and Importance of Trigonometry

Trigonometry may not have its direct applications in solving practical issues or problems,
but it is used in various fields. Calculating the relationships between the sides of the
triangle is frequently necessary in some lines of work, and means that an understanding
of trigonometry is essential for several jobs. For example,

Architecture and Construction: 

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Architects and people who working in construction use trigonometry to work out the height
and the basic structure of a building. An architect can use the functions to calculate loads
and forces of a building. If without these calculations, buildings would not be safe. In
construction we need trigonometry to calculate the correct slope of a roof and the proper
height and rise of a stairway with trigonometry. Besides, measuring fields, lots and areas,
making walls to be paralleled and perpendicular, installing ceramic tiles and many other
things where becomes necessary to use trigonometry.

Music:

As you know sound travels in waves, although the pattern of waves is not as regular as sine
or cosine function. If you are interested in music theory and production, trigonometry is very
useful in developing computer music. Sine waves are a single note whereas multiple sine
waves make a chord. A graphical representation of music allows computers to create and
understand sounds. It also allows sound engineers to visualize sound waves so that they
can adjust volume, pitch and other elements to create the desired sound effects. It is also
useful in live environments, as the angles that the speakers are placed can impact the
quality of the sound we hear.

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4.0 Conclusion

There are also some other uses of trigonometry such as oceanography use trigonometry to
calculate heights of waves and tides in oceans. Moreover, trigonometry is also used in the
creation of maps and satellite systems. We are actually surrounded by various applications
of trigonometry on our daily life but honestly, we are not aware of this fact. It will be
impossible to construct houses or cars without the knowledge of trigonometry. We do not
mean that the entire process is based on trigonometry but certain measurements and
concepts are actually based on this important mathematics topic.