What is the simplified trigonometry procedure?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a simplified trigonometry procedure designed for 'calculator banned' Calculus courses, aiming to reduce the need for memorizing multiple special angles. This method allows users to derive correct trigonometric solutions using only the signs of four quadrants and three special angles in quadrant I. The procedure involves defining angles and their relationships symbolically, with examples illustrating its application. There are questions about the validity of the proposed formulas and the necessity of certain conditions, particularly regarding angles equal to π. Overall, the procedure is presented as a potentially useful tool, pending further verification and proof of its accuracy.
Orion1
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Because Trigonometry is a pre-requisite for Calculus, the purpose of this procedure is for use in 'calculator banned' Calculus courses, to eliminate the requirement of memorizing sixteen 'special angles' in Trigonometry to derive the correct solution.

Memorizing this procedure can produce all the correct solutions with knowledge of only the signs of four quadrants and three special angles in quadrant I.

This is the procedure that I developed in the 'rough', and I have not thoroughly tested it. Please let me know if there is a better 'symbolic' way to write this procedure or if this procedure produces any errors.
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f_t( \theta_1 ) = \sin \theta_1, \cos \theta_1, \tan \theta_1 \; \text{etc.}

\theta_1 = \frac{n a}{b}
\theta_2 = \frac{\theta_1}{n} = \frac{a}{b}

\text{if} \; \theta_1 = \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0

f_q(\theta_1) = \text{sgn} [f_t (\theta_1)]

f_1(\theta_1) = f_q(\theta_1) \cdot f_t(\theta_2)

f_1(\theta_1) = \text{sgn} [f_t (\theta_1)] \cdot f_t(\theta_2)

\text{example:}
f_t( \theta_1 ) = \cos \frac{2 \pi}{3}
\theta_1 = \frac{2 \pi}{3} \; \; \; n = 2 \; \; \; a = \pi \; \; \; b = 3
\theta_2 = \frac{a}{b} = \frac{\pi}{3}
f_q \left( \frac{2 \pi}{3} \right) = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \frac{2 \pi}{3} \right] = -1
f_1( \theta_1 ) = \cos \frac{2 \pi}{3} = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \frac{2 \pi}{3} \right] \cdot \cos \frac{\pi}{3}
\cos \frac{2 \pi}{3} = - \cos \frac{\pi}{3} = - \frac{1}{2}
\boxed{\cos \frac{2 \pi}{3} = - \frac{1}{2}}
 
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Firstly, you haven't given any proof your for "theorem". So you cannot claim that your theorem is correct.
Orion1 said:
\text{if} \; \theta_1 = \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0
?
Why must it be so?? :confused:
f_1(\theta_1) = \text{sgn} [f_t (\theta_1)] \cdot f_t(\theta_2)
Ok, so you are saying that:
\cos \left( \frac{\pi}{3} \right) = \cos \left( \frac{2 \pi}{6} \right) = \mbox{sgn} \left( \cos \left( \frac{2 \pi}{6} \right) \right) \cos \left( \frac{\pi}{6} \right) = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}? Right?
 
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\text{if} \; \theta_1 = \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0
VietDao29 said:
Why must it be so??

Because the area formed by the triangle with respect to origin and zero radians is zero. 0 and pi radians are the only two special angles where this is true and hence pi radians is the only exception to the formula.

A_t = \frac{a \cdot b}{2} \sin \pi = 0

This case would also be true for the formula:
\text{if} \; \theta_1 = \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = - \pi

A_t = \frac{a \cdot b}{2} \sin -\pi = 0

Right?
Negative.
\cos \left( \frac{\pi}{3} \right) \neq \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
\theta_2 \neq \frac{a}{2b}

Formula:
\cos \left( \frac{n a}{b} \right) = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \left( \frac{n a}{b} \right) \right] \cos \left( \frac{a}{b} \right)

Proof:
\cos \left( \frac{n \pi}{3} \right) = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \left( \frac{n \pi}{3} \right) \right] \cos \left( \frac{\pi}{3} \right) = \pm \frac{1}{2}

\text{if} \; \theta_1 = n \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0

\cos \left( n \pi \right) = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \left( n \pi \right) \right] \cos \left( 0 \right) = \pm 1
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