Trigonometry/Advanced Math
Course Description
This course explores the fundamental principles of trigonometry, focusing on the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. Students will learn to apply trigonometric functions—such as sine, cosine, and tangent—to solve problems involving right and oblique triangles. The course will also cover the unit circle, trigonometric identities, graphing of trigonometric functions, and the applications of trigonometry in real-world contexts such as physics, engineering, and navigation.
Course Big Ideas
- Understand and use trigonometric ratios and identities.
- Solve both right and non-right triangles using the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines.
- Analyze the graphs of trigonometric functions and understand their periodic nature.
- Understand advanced topics, such as the polar coordinate system and conic sections.
Course Essential Questions
- What are the relationships between the sides and angles of a triangle, and how can these relationships be used to solve real-world problems?
- What is the significance of the unit circle, and how does it help in understanding the behavior of trigonometric functions?
- How can trigonometric identities simplify complex expressions, and how are they used to solve trigonometric equations?
- In what ways can trigonometry be extended beyond triangles, such as in the study of waves, complex numbers, and polar coordinates?
Course Competencies
- Demonstrate the ability to identify and define the six trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent) and apply them to solve problems in right triangles.
- Identify key angles in both degrees and radians and use the unit circle to compute the values of trigonometric functions.
- Analyze the key features of the graphs of trigonometric functions, including amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift.
- Apply transformations (shifts, stretches, reflections) to the graphs of trigonometric functions.
- Simplify trigonometric expressions using identities.
- Use the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines to solve for missing sides and angles in triangles, particularly when the triangle is oblique (not a right triangle).
- Extend trigonometric principles to complex numbers, polar coordinates, and vector analysis.
Course Assessments
- Unit Quizzes
- Unit Tests
- Informal assessments through warm-ups and exit tickets
- Informal check of daily assignments
- Course Final Exam
Course Units
- Unit 0: Prerequisite Unit
- Unit 1: Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
- Unit 2: Graphing Trigonometric Functions
- Unit 3: Algebraic Concepts for Trigonometric Identities
- Unit 4: Trigonometric Identities and Equations
- Unit 5: Polar Equations and Graphs
- Unit 6: Solving Triangles and Area of Oblique Triangles
- Unit 7: Conic Sections
- Unit 8: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Unit 0: Prerequisite Unit
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.1.HS.F.1 Simplify radical expressions.
- CC.2.1.HS.F.2 Simplify and perform operations on rational expressions.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.2 Graph and analyze functions and use their properties to make connections between the different representations.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.2 Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.6 Extend the knowledge of rational functions to rewrite in equivalent forms.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.10 Represent, solve and interpret equations/inequalities and systems of equations/inequalities algebraically and graphically.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
- State the difference between an expression and an equation.
- State the difference between evaluate, simplify, and solve.
- Round numbers to the given place.
- Decide if a number is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 10.
- Evaluate functions given an equation and a graph.
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.
- Simplify expressions using properties of exponents.
- Simplify radical expressions (including variables).
- Simplify radical expressions with higher indices.
- Solve a system of equations by graphing, substitution, or elimination.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
- What are ways to use operations on rational expressions?
- How do you simplify radicals (including higher roots)?
- How can solving systems of equations help us solve problems with multiple variables?
- What patterns and properties emerge from divisibility rules, and how can these be used to analyze and predict the divisibility of numbers?
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- ixl: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 1: Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.2.HS.C.7 Evaluate trigonometric and inverse trigonometric expressions, using technology when appropriate.
- CC.2.3.HS.A.7 Apply trigonometric ratios to solve problems involving right triangles.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.7 Apply radian measure of an angle and the unit circle to analyze the trigonometric functions.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 1.B Express functions, equations, or expressions in analytically equivalent forms that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context.
- 3.B Apply numerical results in a given mathematical or applied context.
Know
- Rotation of angles in the Cartesian plane (positive/negative/amount of rotation).
- Conversion of angles between degree mode and radian mode.
- The side relationships in special right triangles.
- Angles of elevation and depression in an application problem.
- Evaluating a trigonometric function of any angle.
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
- Find coterminal angles.
- Convert from radians to degrees and vice versa.
- Convert from degrees to degrees, minutes, and seconds and vice versa.
- Use proper vocabulary to describe and apply concepts related to the Cartesian plane.
- Determine the sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent of any angle using the unit circle.
- Solve a right triangle for missing side lengths and/or angles, including applications of right triangle trigonometry.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 2: Graphing Trigonometric Functions
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.2.HS.C.8 Choose trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena and describe the properties of the graphs.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.2 Graph and analyze functions and use their properties to make connections between the different representations.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 2.A Identify information from graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations to answer a question or construct a model, with and without technology.
- 2.B Construct equivalent graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations of functions that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context, with and without technology.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
- How and why do we graph trigonometric functions?
- How does the amplitude and period affect the graph of a trigonometric function?
- In which ways does phase shift and vertical shift translate the graph of a trigonometric function?
- How can we use the graphs of trigonometric functions to model periodic phenomena in the real world?
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 3: Algebraic Concepts for Trigonometric Identities
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.1.HS.F.2 Apply properties of rational and irrational numbers to solve real world or mathematical problems.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.4 Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials to make generalizations about functions and their graphs.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.6 Extend the knowledge of rational functions to rewrite in equivalent forms.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 4: Trigonometric Identities and Equations
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assesments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.2.HS.C.9 Prove the Pythagorean identity and use it to calculate trigonometric ratios.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.2 Write expressions in equivalent forms to solve problems.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.9 Use reasoning to solve equations and justify the solution method.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 1.A Solve equations and inequalities represented analytically, with and without technology.
- 1.B Express functions, equations, or expressions in analytically equivalent forms that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context.
- 3.B Apply numerical results in a given mathematical or applied context.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assesments
Unit 5: Polar Equations and Graphs
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.1.HS.F.6.B Add, subtract, multiply, and divide complex numbers in standard form.
- CC.2.1.HS.F.6.A Represent complex numbers in polar form.
- CC.2.1.HS.F.6.C Multiply, divide, and find powers and roots of complex numbers in polar form.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 2.B Construct equivalent graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations of functions that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context, with and without technology.
- 3.A Describe the characteristics of a function with varying levels of precision, depending on the function representation and available mathematical tools.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
- Understand the mathematical mechanics of polar coordinates and graphs.
- Manipulate complex numbers in trigonometric (polar) form, solve equations involving complex numbers, and understand their geometric interpretations. The ability to switch between rectangular and polar forms is crucial for solving real-world problems in various fields such as engineering, physics, and applied mathematics.
Do
- Perform operations on complex numbers, using complex conjugates as needed.
- Represent complex numbers in trigonometric (or polar) form.
- Use trigonometric form to perform operations on complex numbers, including DeMoivre’s Theorem.
- Convert between rectangular and polar coordinates.
- Convert between rectangular and polar equations.
- Explain characteristics (ie petal length and type of symmetry) of rose and limaçon curves.
- Graph rose and limaçon curves, both of hand and using technology.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
- What are complex numbers and how do they coexist with our number system?
- How do you convert from rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates?
- What is the relationship between the rectangular coordinate system and the polar coordinate system?
- Can you classify common shapes that arise from plotting certain types of polar equations?
- What is the procedure for raising a complex number to a power use DeMoivre's Theorem?
- How can we represent complex numbers in trigonometric form, and how does this form simplify operations like multiplication, division, and finding powers or roots?
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 6: Solving Triangles and Area of Oblique Triangles
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
Graphing/Scientific Calculators
Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assessments
Unit 7: Conic Sections
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assignments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.3.HS.A.10A Identify properties of the conic sections, including circle, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas.
- CC.2.3.HS.A.10B Graph circles, parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas, using technology when appropriate.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 1.B Express functions, equations, or expressions in analytically equivalent forms that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context.
- 2.A Identify information from graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations to answer a question or construct a model, with and without technology.
- 2.B Construct equivalent graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations of functions that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context, with and without technology.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
- Graph a circle, parabola, ellipse, and hyperbola using technology when needed.
- Complete the square to put an equation in standard form.
- Find the important characteristics (see the vocabulary) of each conic section.
- Identify the type of conic section from the equation whether or not it is in standard form.
- Change an equation of a conic section into standard form by completing the square.
- Write the equation of a conic section given information regarding its characteristics.
Unit Essential Questions
Lesson Essential Questions
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
Vocabulary
Assignments
Unit 8: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Standards
- Know
- Understanding/Key Learning
- Do
- Unit Essential Questions
- Lesson Essential Questions
- Materials/Resources
- Vocabulary
- Assessments
Standards
PA Common Core Mathematics Standards
- CC.2.2.HS.D.8A Convert from exponential to logarithmic form and vice versa.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.8B Use properties of logarithms to rewrite expressions and to solve exponential and logarithmic equations.
- CC.2.2.HS.D.8C Evaluate exponential and logarithmic expressions, using technology when appropriate.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.2B Perform transformations by composition, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.4B Perform transformations by finding inverses, including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.
- CC.2.2.HS.C.2C Graph logarithmic and exponential functions using technology when appropriate.
College Board Standards (AP Precalculus)
- 1.B Express functions, equations, or expressions in analytically equivalent forms that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context.
- 2.B Construct equivalent graphical, numerical, analytical, and verbal representations of functions that are useful in a given mathematical or applied context, with and without technology.
- 3.A Describe the characteristics of a function with varying levels of precision, depending on the function representation and available mathematical tools.
- 3.B Apply numerical results in a given mathematical or applied context.
Know
Understanding/Key Learning
Do
Unit Essential Questions
- How can we solve real-world problems involving exponential functions, and what techniques are useful in those cases?
- What are the key properties of logarithms (such as the product, quotient, and power rules), and how are they used to simplify expressions and solve equations?
- What role do exponential and logarithmic functions play in modeling real-world phenomena like population growth, radioactive decay, or financial investments?
Lesson Essential Questions
- How and why do we use exponential and logarithmic functions?
- What is the difference between exponential and logistic functions?
- How do we use logarithms to solve exponential equations?
- What are some applications of exponential and logarithmic functions?
- What is the difference between future value and present value?
Materials/Resources
- Desmos: https://www.desmos.com/calculator
- IXL: https://www.ixl.com/math/
- Graphing/Scientific Calculators
- Teacher created notes and assignments
