Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that focuses on specific angle functions, the lengths of triangles, and how they can apply in calculations. In general, six functions are usually used in trigonometry.

Three of them, sine (sin), cosine (cos), and tangent (tan), are seen in both A-Math and E-Math. The other three, secant (sec), cosecant (csc) and cotangent (cot), are elaborated upon in A-Math only.

All six trigonometric functions are related to the right-angled triangle. Three of them that are used in both mathematics are listed below:  

Sine: Opposite / Hypotenuse

Cosine: Adjacent / Hypotenuse

Tangent: Opposite / Adjacent

In Additional Math, they will cover the other three functions, as shown below:

Cosecant: Hypotenuse / Opposite

Secant: Hypotenuse / Adjacent

Cotangent: Adjacent / Opposite 

Overall, trigonometric functions help obtain unknown angles and distances based on currently known or measured angles in geometric figures. That is why trigonometry is useful in multiple fields. Some of them include mapmaking, surveying, crime scene investigating, astronomy, video game development, and artillery range finding.

Now that we know that deducing angles can help in certain tasks in real life, but how can they help in letting children grasp the trigonometry concepts? Here are some ways.

1. Get your child to calculate a specific value when outside

In trigonometry, when you look up at something taller than you, you create something called the angle of elevation. On the other hand, when you look down at something, you make an angle of depression. 

When it comes to right-angled triangles, you can see them whenever you climb the stairs, look at the roof, or even cross over an overhead bridge. You can even find the height of a specific building based on the horizontal distance from the base or the elevation angle to the top of the tower with a sextant.

Take advantage of this the next time you are out with your child. Get your child to look at the building with a known distance, or you can reverse it and give them the height of the building. When doing so, you can provide them with a piece of paper, pencil and calculator.

From there, get the child to calculate the height of the building based on the distance or how far the structure is based on the height. This practise helps them to grasp trigonometry faster.

2. Get your child to play specific video games

Finding suitable video games can help make the topic fun to learn. In this case, you may want to find a game that does require the usage of angles to help them with trigonometry.

Take the popular game Angry Birds, for instance. Angry Birds aims to launch the titular birds to destroy structures and get to the green pigs. While Angry Birds can be won with trial-and-error, it would likely require fewer attempts if your kid calculates the distance between the birds and the pigs and the launch angle required to deal maximum damage.

With the calculation, the kids would not have to depend on their previous attempts since they can calculate the elevation angle from the target pigs to the birds? That way, your child can set the slingshot to the required launch angle to hit the pigs. Try and challenge you child to complete the stage within a limited number of attempts to enhance the child’s thinking ability.

What makes video games an exciting route to learn trigonometry is that it is also needed on the other side of gaming: game development. If you have played Mario, you may notice he does not just jump straight up; his jump is slightly curved or has a trajectory, allowing him to tackle obstacles.

When programming a game, the x and y-axis is needed to help find the positions and speeds of objects, using the concept of the triangles, to put it into code. This is how the character speed or the object speed is decided in the games.

For instance, let’s say your child is playing a spaceship game that shoots down obstacles on the way. Trigonometry is used in writing the code to allow object movement, designing the items, making the characters, and creating the sets.

It also helps in digital images, such as the speed of the spaceship beam or the angle of the obstacles, depending on the navigation and direction of the spaceship.

3. Get your child to apply trigonometry in music

When trigonometry is represented in a graph, you may notice that some of them, such as the sine and cosine functions, resemble waves. These waves are also essential in music theory or production, since they can be combined to represent a chord.

If your child is fond of listening to music, get them to view and play around with the graphic representation of the song they are fond of with a computer program. After all, the sound waves are what allows for alteration of volume, pitch, and other effects to the song.

Get them to think about music in terms of the mathematical sine waves and guess how the music pitch can alter the visualisation, or how altering certain parts of the sound wave can affect the music. If you can obtain an oscillator, it makes testing out the different sounds more influential.

Conclusion

Trigonometry can be a hard topic and not exactly enjoyable to learn, it can be engaging if you find the right catalyst. If you know your child has aspiring dreams, such as being a detective or a game developer, you can show them how trigonometry plays a big part to it.

Should your child need extra help in trigonometry, Glenn Lee Learning Centre can lend you a helping hand. Our private O level tuition centre provides engaging and interactive Additional Mathematics tuition and E math tuition in Singapore, allowing your child to see the enjoyable side to subjects and grasp concepts quickly.

With our personalised lessons plans and accommodative guidance, your child will show improvement in no time. For more details, contact us or visit our centre.