trigonometry

(noun)

The branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the sides and the angles of triangles and the calculations based on them, particularly the trigonometric functions.

Examples of trigonometry in the following topics:

  • Trigonometry

    • Trigonometry is central to the use of free body diagrams, which help visually represent difficult physics problems.
    • Trigonometry is also used in determining the horizontal and vertical components of forces and objects.
    • When the force or object is not acting parallel to the x or y axis, people can employ basic trigonometry to use the simplest components of the action to analyze it.
    • Given the finished free body diagram, people can use their knowledge of trigonometry and the laws of sine and cosine to mathematically and numerical represent the horizontal and vertical components:
    • Explain why trigonometry is useful in determining horizontal and vertical components of forces

  • The Ray Aspect of Light

    • The movement of light, as a ray, can be shown with simple geometry and trigonometry.

  • Matter Exists in Space and Time

  • General Problem-Solving Tricks

    • This uses geometry and vectors to visually represent to problem, and trigonometry is also used in determining horizontal and vertical components of forces and objects.

  • Phasors

    • The result is that trigonometry reduces to algebra, and linear differential equations become algebraic ones.