Education Technology

Trig Ratios: Gettin' Trig-y with Python

Activity Overview

In this coding activity for the TI-84 Plus CE Python edition, students will write a program that generates a random sine, cosine or tangent ratio.  It will ask the user to enter a different trigonometric ratio based on the given triangle information. It will evaluate the user’s input. 

Objectives

  • Use the input function and a variable to collect and store data from a user
  • Use the randint function to generate triangle side lengths
  • Use the randint function to determine sine, cosine, or tangent prompts
  • Use if..elif..else statements to make decisions
  • Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing triangle side lengths
  • Use right triangle trigonometry ratios to solve problems

About the Lesson

For this lesson, students will write a program that generates a random sine, cosine or tangent ratio.  It will ask the user to enter a different trigonometric ratio based on the given triangle information. It will evaluate the user’s input.  If the user’s input is incorrect, it will give the correct ratio.

 
Note: This lesson requires the use of  TI-84 Plus CE Python technology with OS 5.6 and above.