Trigonometry

Webercise
This assignment will be worth 25 points. Go through the activities in chronological order,
making sure to fully complete each activity before moving onto the next. Record your answers
in the space provided.

Activity 1: Gaining Some Background Information

on Trigonometry
First, we will look at the history of trigonometry, getting a better idea of what
this topic in mathematics entails. Click on the following link and answer the
questions as you read through the article:
https://www.livescience.com/51026-what-is-trigonometry.html

1. What is trigonometry? (1 point) ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

2. The word trigonometry comes from which Greek words? What about the word hypotenuse?
(1 point) _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. How does trigonometry follow a similar path as algebra? (1 point)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. Why do we not know the exact timeline of when trigonometry was first discovered? (1 point)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 2: Learning About the Trigonometric
Ratios
Now that we have a better understanding of what trigonometry is and have
gained some insight into its history, it is time to learn three trigonometric ratios
and how their definitions come about from our understanding of similar
triangles. Answer the following questions as you watch this short video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuZMXVJNLCo

5. What do we know about similar triangles regarding corresponding sides? (1 point)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

6. What are the names of the three trigonometric functions and their ratios? (1 point)

7. What mnemonic is used to help remember the three trigonometry functions and their ratios?
(1 point) (In this context, a mnemonic is a pattern of letters that helps you remember something.)
______________________________________________________________________________
 Activity 3: Finding a Side of a Right Triangle
After familiarizing yourself with the three trigonometric functions, we are going
to start applying what we know to solve for the missing side of a right triangle.
As you go through the following link, be prepared to answer the questions as you
carefully read through the entire page:
https://www.mathisfun.com/algebra/trig-finding-side-right-triangle.html

8. We can find an unknown side in a right triangle when we know what two things? (1 point)
______________________________________________________________________________

9. What are the 4 steps used when finding a missing side in a right triangle? (1 point)
Step 1:________________________________________________________________________
Step 2:________________________________________________________________________
Step 3:________________________________________________________________________
Step 4:________________________________________________________________________

10. After carefully looking at the three worked out examples using the 4 steps, pick out any two
of the ten questions at the bottom of the website where it says, “Your Turn.” Draw and label the
triangle appropriately, and then show all work using the 4 steps noted above. (4 points)
 Activity 4: Pythagorean Theorem Interactive
The Pythagorean Theorem is one of the most well-known theorems in
mathematics. If you’re not familiar with it, you will have the opportunity to
learn about it now by engaging in the following interactive:
https://www.brainingcamp.com/lessons/pythagorean-
theorem/manipulative.php

11. Classifying by angle, what kind of triangle is seen in the display? (1 point) _____________

12. Play around with the sides of the triangle by clicking on the gray circles and move up/down
or left/right. Pay attention to the calculations on the right. What is the equation for the
Pythagorean Theorem? (1 point) __________________________________________________

13. In the display screen, click on “Show Proof” that is below the Action box. Drag the parts of
the triangle to see how they prove the Pythagorean Theorem. How exactly does this prove the
Pythagorean Theorem? Explain. (3 points)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

Activity 5: Applications of Trigonometry

Hopefully by now, you have a better understanding of how we can use the
trigonometric ratios to find the missing side of any right triangle given the right
circumstances. You have also now familiarized yourself with the Pythagorean
Theorem through the interactive display. Now, read through these next two
articles to see some applications of trigonometry along with how a well-known
mathematical theorem was used in a court of law.
Article 1: https://byjus.com/maths/applications-of-trigonometry/

14. Were there any applications of trigonometry you were surprised by? Which ones? (1 point)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

15. Can you think of a situation in your own life where you could use trigonometry to help you
find the solution? Explain. (2 points) _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 Article 2: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/23/nyregion/conviction-with-
an-angle-is-upheld-by-court-of-appeals.html

16. How was math used to convict the person in the story? (1 point)
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

17. Make up your own word problem where the Pythagorean Theorem would be needed to find
the solution. Then provide the solution with all work shown. (3 points)

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Work: