What is the simplified trigonometry procedure?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Orion1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Procedure Trigonometry
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion presents a simplified trigonometry procedure designed for 'calculator banned' Calculus courses, eliminating the need to memorize sixteen special angles. The procedure relies on understanding the signs of four quadrants and three special angles in quadrant I. Key formulas include f_t(θ) = sin(θ), cos(θ), tan(θ) and f_1(θ) = sgn[f_t(θ)] * f_t(θ2), where θ1 = (n*a)/b and θ2 = a/b. The procedure aims to produce accurate solutions while minimizing memorization requirements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, tangent
  • Familiarity with the unit circle and quadrants
  • Knowledge of angle conversions and special angles in trigonometry
  • Basic calculus concepts, particularly in relation to trigonometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation and proof of trigonometric identities
  • Explore advanced trigonometric functions and their applications in calculus
  • Study the implications of 'calculator banned' exams on learning methodologies
  • Learn about the geometric interpretations of trigonometric functions
USEFUL FOR

Students in calculus courses, educators teaching trigonometry, and anyone interested in simplifying trigonometric procedures for academic purposes.

Orion1
Messages
961
Reaction score
3

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.
[/Color]

[tex]f_t( \theta_1 ) = \sin \theta_1, \cos \theta_1, \tan \theta_1 \; \text{etc.}[/tex]

[tex]\theta_1 = \frac{n a}{b}[/tex]
[tex]\theta_2 = \frac{\theta_1}{n} = \frac{a}{b}[/tex]

[tex]\text{if} \; \theta_1 = \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0[/tex]

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

[tex]f_1(\theta_1) = f_q(\theta_1) \cdot f_t(\theta_2)[/tex]

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

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

[tex]A_t = \frac{a \cdot b}{2} \sin \pi = 0[/tex]

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

[tex]A_t = \frac{a \cdot b}{2} \sin -\pi = 0[/tex]

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

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

Proof:
[tex]\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}[/tex]

[tex]\text{if} \; \theta_1 = n \pi \; \text{then} \; \theta_2 = 0[/tex]

[tex]\cos \left( n \pi \right) = \text{sgn} \left[ \cos \left( n \pi \right) \right] \cos \left( 0 \right) = \pm 1[/tex]
[/Color]
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
6K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K