Education Technology

Computing by Degrees!

Subject Area
Math: Geometry: Triangles
Math: Precalculus: Trigonometry (Triangle and Circular Functions)
Level
9-12
Activity Time
60 Minutes
TI Calculator
TI-30X IIS
Other Materials
This is Activity 9 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

Resource Types
Lessons

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
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    Subject Area
    Math: Geometry: Triangles
    Math: Precalculus: Trigonometry (Triangle and Circular Functions)
    Level
    9-12
    Activity Time
    60 Minutes
    TI Calculator
    TI-30X IIS
    Other Materials
    This is Activity 9 from the EXPLORATIONS Book:
    Math Investigations with the TI-30X IIS: Activities for Secondary Mathematics

    Resource Types
    Lessons
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