IT - Introduction to Trigonometry Module Overview
Introduction
Trigonometry is a major part of Precalculus and integral in your mathematical preparation. In this module, we will connect what you know about trigonometry (sine, cosine, and tangent) to special right triangles and the coordinate plane! Precalculus is when many different parts of math finally connect! Hopefully you are excited to begin this journey.
Essential Questions
- How do I think about an angle as the rotation of a ray around its endpoint?
- What is meant by the radian measure of an angle?
- What is the connection between the radian measure of an angle and the length of the arc on the unit circle the angle intercepts?
- What does it mean to prove a trigonometric identity?
Introduction to Trigonometry Key Terms
The following key terms will help you understand the content in this module.
Coterminal Angles - share the same initial side and the same terminal side of angles of rotation.
Identity - an equation that is true for all values of the variable for which the expressions in the equation are defined
Initial Side - the "beginning" side of an angle of rotation, usually on the positive x-axis
Negative Angle - an angle in standard position is negative when the location of the terminal side results from a clockwise rotation
Positive Angle - an angle in standard position is positive when the location of the terminal side results from a counterclockwise rotation
Radian - the measure of the central angle of a circle subtended by an arc of equal length to the radius
Reference Angle - the measure of the acute angle formed by the terminal side and the x-axis
Standard Position - an angle is in standard position when the vertex is at the origin and the initial side lies on the positive x-axis
Terminal Side - the "ending" side of an angle of rotation
Unit Circle - a circle with a radius of 1 and center at the origin
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