2019arXiv (Cornell University)Open access

Trignometry Without Geometry

John Gresham, Bryant Wyatt, Jesse Crawford

Open full text 0 citations

Abstract

The development of the trigonometric functions in introductory texts usually follows geometric constructions using right triangles or the unit circle. While these methods are satisfactory at the elementary level, advanced mathematics demands a more rigorous approach. Our purpose here is to revisit elementary trigonometry from an entirely analytic perspective. We will give a comprehensive treatment of the sine and cosine functions and will show how to derive the familiar theorems of trigonometry without reference to geometric definitions or constructions.

Open-access reader

About this research paper

What this paper is about

The development of the trigonometric functions in introductory texts usually follows geometric constructions using right triangles or the unit circle. While these methods are satisfactory at the elementary level, advanced mathematics demands a more rigorous approach. Our purpose here is to revisit elementary trigonometry from an entirely analytic perspective. We will give a comprehensive treatment of the sine and cosine functions and will show how to derive the familiar theorems of trigonometry without reference to geometric definitions or constructions.

Why it matters

A significance statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

The development of the trigonometric functions in introductory texts usually follows geometric constructions using right triangles or the unit circle. While these methods are satisfactory at the elementary level, advanced mathematics demands a more rigorous approach. Our purpose here is to revisit elementary trigonometry from an entirely analytic perspective. We will give a comprehensive treatment of the sine and cosine functions and will show how to derive the familiar theorems of trigonometry without reference to geometric definitions or constructions.

Key concepts: Trigonometry, Trigonometric functions, Sine, Perspective (graphical), Spherical trigonometry, Mathematics, Integration using Euler's formula, Algebra over a field

Related papers

Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Trignometry Without Geometry — Research Paper | ScholarLens