Education Technology


Computing by Degrees!

Activity Overview

Students use the calculator to solve trigonometry problems using sine, cosine, and tangent. They also find inverses of trigonometric functions.

Before the Activity

  • Set the angle mode of the calculator to degrees
  • See the attached PDF file for detailed instructions for this activity
  • Print pages 87 - 90 from the attached PDF file for your class
  • During the Activity

    Distribute the pages to the class.

    Follow the activity procedures:

  • Understand the relationship between the sides and angles of a right triangle
  • Calculate the length of a side of a right triangle, given the angles and length of at least one side


  • Use the calculator to find the decimal form of the sine of an angle given in degree-minute-second form


  • Understand how to calculate the angle of depression by identifying a trigonometric ratio, and using the corresponding equation


  • Use the formulas of the trigonometric ratios to solve problems
  • After the Activity

    Students complete the Student Activity pages.

  • Review student results
  • As a class, discuss questions that appeared to be more challenging
  • Re-teach concepts as necessary