Trigonometric projection: explorative model
Objective and steps
We have already seen that all similar triangles have equal trigonometric ratios. Thus, someone could think that there is no relation whatsoever between trigonometric
ratios and the length-dimensions of the triangle. Solve the next activity to
see that the previous supposition is not true.
Students work in pairs (students A and B).
1) Student A selects positions for both orange points in the circle, thus, changing the value of the radious of the circle (the length of the hypotenuse) and the angle in the triangle.
2) Student B translates the numerical values of the triangle from the graphic view to the spreadsheet and makes calculations.
3) Students A and B interchange positions and repeat steps 1 and 2, a number of times.
4) Students write down conclusions about the observed numerical relations.
5) Students translate conclusion to algebraic language.