What is the simplified trigonometry procedure?

In summary, the purpose of this procedure is to eliminate the requirement of memorizing sixteen 'special angles' in Trigonometry in 'calculator banned' Calculus courses. It involves using knowledge of only the signs of four quadrants and three special angles in quadrant I to produce all the correct solutions. The formula for this procedure is represented by f_t(\theta_1) = \sin \theta_1, \cos \theta_1, \tan \theta_1, etc. and involves using the signs of the trigonometric functions and the value of \theta_2 to derive the correct solutions. This procedure is still being tested and any improvements or errors can be reported to the developer.
  • #1
Orion1
973
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.


[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
  • #2
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:
  • #3
[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]
 
Last edited:

FAQ: What is the simplified trigonometry procedure?

What is trigonometry?

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. It is used to solve problems involving triangles and can also be applied to other shapes and real-life situations.

What is the main purpose of using trigonometry?

The main purpose of using trigonometry is to calculate unknown sides or angles of a triangle when given some known information. It is also used to model and analyze periodic phenomena, such as sound waves or ocean tides.

What are the three basic trigonometric functions?

The three basic trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, and tangent. These functions are ratios of the sides of a right triangle and can be used to calculate the length of a side or measure of an angle.

What is the Pythagorean theorem and how is it related to trigonometry?

The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. This theorem is used in trigonometry to find the length of a side or measure of an angle in a right triangle.

What are some real-life applications of trigonometry?

Trigonometry has many real-life applications, including architecture, engineering, navigation, and astronomy. It is also used in fields such as physics, biology, and chemistry to model and analyze various natural phenomena.

Back
Top