Trigonometric Functions Teacher Resources

Combine simplifying trigonometric expressions with evaluating them! An open-ended question presents a trigonometric expression and numeric values for additional expressions. Learners must determine a value for the original expression by...

Take an alternative route with trigonometry and let learners connect a tweaked version of the pythagorean theorem to the original in terms of triangle sides. The assignment leads participants towards deriving the Pythagorean identity...

Expand trigonometric ratios beyond right triangles. Pupils start with a review of trigonometric ratios and then take a look at angles in standard position to determine their measurements. Scholars discover how to find coterminal angles...

Connect the dots on trigonometry with K'nex. Scholars use a K'nex model of a Ferris wheel to collect data points to plot on a height versus time graph. They'll then consider what type of function best models the data in the graph—and...

The inflection point, the point where the second derivative is zero, is the focus of a video  that works through a problem where it is not obvious to see the roots of a function. The solution to the problem requires using...

Apply the chain rule, the power rule, and the derivative of a trigonometric function all in one. Using a function raised to a power, the 14th video in a series of 31 shows how several rules work together to find a derivative. The...

Sometimes the only important thing about function is how it behaves around a single point. Pupils learn about the linearization of a function at a point by watching a video. They see an example of the topic using a trigonometric function.

Find the volume of a rotational solid by integrating the area of a slice. The AP Calculus resource works through an example of finding the volume of a solid created by rotating a function about the x-axis. The presentation breaks the...

Scholars manipulate the amplitude of the graphs of sine and cosine, notice how the change in amplitude is reflected in their graphs, and answer several questions about the concept they noticed.

Work on the chain gang. The 11th installment in a series of 31 demonstrates how the chain rule and the quotient rule work together to find a derivative. Using a trigonometric function of a quotient involving exponentials as an example,...

Predict an equation that waves up and down. Pupils set the height, radius, and period of a Ferris wheel. The learners write a sine equation to match the graph of the height of a point on the wheel as a function of time. Running the...

Functions help make the world make more sense. Individuals model real-world situations with functions. They match a variety of contexts to different function types to finish a helpful resource.

There's a function for that! Scholars examine real-world situations to determine which type of function would best model the data in the 23rd installment of a 35-part module. It involves considering the nature of the data in addition to...

Sometimes a little manipulation goes a long way. The sixth of 18 videos in Unit 1 - Limits and Continuity shows viewers how to use algebraic manipulation to determine limits. They first use substitution and factoring, then apply special...

Fly through graphing functions with the Function Flyer. Young mathematicians use an interactive to graph different types of functions. A set of exploration questions has users investigate patterns in functions.

Doing is more effective than watching. Learners use spaghetti to discover the relationship between the unit circle and the graph of the sine and cosine functions. As they measure lengths on the unit circle and transfer them to a...

Periodically ship the class a trigonometric application. Pupils model the level of water in a port. Using their models, learners determine the times that a ship can safely navigate into and out of the port, along with determining other...

Here's the right task to investigate right triangles in the unit circle. A short performance task has learners determine the product of two side lengths in a unit circle. They must apply similarity concepts and trigonometric ratios to...

It's a sign! Scholars analyze sine functions for patterns in their periods. The exploration advances beyond a simple function to the combination of two functions with even and odd coefficients. Their goal is to find a pattern between the...

Change the y-intercept by adding a constant to the function. Individuals move three functions vertically along the y-axis. As they observe how the equation of the functions change with the vertical movement, learners determine how...

They say a graph is worth a thousand points. The interactive allows users to graph a wide variety of functions and equations. Using the included keyboard or typing directly into the list, learners determine the graph of a function....

Don't give your classes the third degree. Use radians instead! While working with degrees, learners find that they are not efficient and explore radians as an alternative. They convert between the two measures and use radians with the...

Find out what causes a function to slide. Pupils move a function along the x-axis and see the resulting change in its equation. Scholars determine the effects that the translation has on the intercepts, domain, and range of the function.

Make math class feel more real by using real-world data. Scholars research or collect data on several different topics, such as nutrition, the motion of moving objects, cooling curves, and daylight hours. They create scatter plots using...