Project Maths
Introduction to Trigonometry
The topic of trigonometric ratios is often covered with loads of rote memorization baked into the activity. This activity set, however, leans more on using similar triangles and discovery learning to help young geometers develop a deeper...
Rice University
Algebra and Trigonometry
Move on into trigonometry. An informative eBook takes the content of a College Algebra course and adds more relating to trigonometry and trigonometric functions. The content organization allows pupils to build upon their learning by...
EngageNY
Addition and Subtraction Formulas 1
Show budding mathematicans how to find the sine of pi over 12. The third lesson in a series of 16 introduces the addition and subtraction formulas for trigonometric functions. Class members derive the formulas using the distance formula...
EngageNY
An Area Formula for Triangles
Use a triangle area formula that works when the height is unknown. The eighth installment in a 16-part series on trigonometry revisits the trigonometric triangle area formula that previously was shown to work with the acute triangles....
EngageNY
Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Build on the understanding of finding angles using trigonometric ratios. Pupils develop the definitions of inverse trigonometric functions by restricting their domains in the 13th lesson of a 16-part series. They use inverse functional...
EngageNY
Modeling with Inverse Trigonometric Functions 1
Where should I stand to get the best view? Pupils use inverse trigonometric functions to determine the horizontal distance from an object to get the best view. They round out the lesson plan by interpreting their answers within context.
Teach Engineering
Solar Angles and Tracking Systems
The sun will continue to rise in the east and set in the west, no matter what. The first lesson plan in a series of eight introduces the class to solar angles. It makes connections between a person's latitude and the angle of position of...
EngageNY
Exploiting the Connection to Trigonometry 2
The class checks to see if the formula for finding powers of a complex number works to find the roots too. Pupils review the previous day's work and graph on the polar grid. The discussion leads the class to think about how to reverse...
EngageNY
Revisiting the Graphs of the Trigonometric Functions
Use the graphs of the trigonometric functions to set the stage to inverse functions. The activity reviews the graphs of the basic trigonometric functions and their transformations. Pupils use their knowledge of graphing functions to...
EngageNY
Special Triangles and the Unit Circle
Calculate exact trigonometric values using the angles of special right triangles. Beginning with a review of the unit circle and trigonometric functions, class members use their knowledge of special right triangles to find the value of...
EngageNY
The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem
Is it a right triangle or not? Introduce scholars to the converse of the Pythagorean Theorem with a lesson that also provides a proof by contradiction of the converse. Pupils use the converse to determine whether triangles with given...
EngageNY
Exploiting the Connection to Trigonometry 1
Class members use the powers of multiplication in the 19th installment of the 32-part unit has individuals to utilize what they know about the multiplication of complex numbers to calculate the integral powers of a complex number. Groups...
K20 LEARN
Round and Round We Go
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...
EngageNY
Addition and Subtraction Formulas 2
Knowing the addition formulas allows for the calculations of double and half formulas. The fourth installment of 16 has the class use the addition formula to develop the double angle trigonometric formulas. Using the double formula,...
CK-12 Foundation
Law of Cosines: Building a Zip Line
Zip this resource into your lesson plans. Here is an interactive that shows how angles and lengths change based on conditions for a zip line. Scholars use the Law of Cosines to solve problems in this context.
Radford University
Catch Me If You Can!
Crime doesn't pay, but everyone can learn from it. Learners consider different situations involving mischief at a school, such as stink bombs and rockets, and analyze them using mathematics. They must apply trigonometry, quadratic...
CK-12 Foundation
Secant, Cosecant, and Cotangent Functions: Hold the Ladder!
Determine the length of a falling ladder. Pupils use an interactive to find the angle a ladder makes with the floor after it falls to answer questions. The scholars use the triangle formed in the interactive to determine values of...
CK-12 Foundation
Angles of Elevation and Depression: Fly-By Calibration
Determine the distance between two trees from afar. Pupils use an interactive resource to create two right triangles using trees and a plane. They determine the horizontal legs of each triangle to find the distance between the two trees.
Radford University
Trouble in the Orchard
It's no fun catching a fungus. Scholars first investigate how the seasons affect the angle of the sun and the lengths of shadows. They then apply right triangle trigonometry to determine the height of trees based on their shadows to...
EngageNY
Law of Sines
Prove the Law of Sines two ways. The ninth segment in a series of 16 introduces the Law of Sines to help the class find lengths of sides in oblique triangles. Pupils develop a proof of the Law of Sines by drawing an altitude and a second...
EngageNY
Law of Cosines
Build upon the Pythagorean Theorem with the Law of Cosines. The 10th part of a 16-part series introduces the Law of Cosines. Class members use the the geometric representation of the Pythagorean Theorem to develop a proof of the Law of...
EngageNY
Modeling with Inverse Trigonometric Functions 2
Use inverse trigonometric functions to work with ramps, rabbits, and Talladega. The class models real-world situations with trigonometric functions and solves them using inverses in the 15th installment of a 16-part series. Pupils solve...
EngageNY
Putting the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines to Use
Use the Law of Cosines and the Law of Sines to solve problems using the sums of vectors. Pupils work on several different types of real-world problems that can be modeled using triangles with three known measurements. In the process,...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Add, Subtract, and Multiply Matrices
Introduce the concept of matrices with a pre-designed instructional activity. Learners watch video lessons to learn the ins and outs of adding, subtracting, and multiplying matrices. Using provided problems, they practice each operation...