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Mathematics lessons for IB® Diploma Programme

Analysis and Approaches | Geometry and Trigonometry

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Trigonometric Patterns

Activity Overview

Students use the unit circle to examine patterns in the six trigonometric functions.

Key Steps

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Step 1

Students are given the definitions of sine, cosine, and tangent and how they relate to the unit circle. Then, students are asked to use the unit circle to find the values of the functions at various angle measures to find patterns for each function.

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Step 2

Students will also explore secant, cosecant, and cotangent by finding the reciprocals of the earlier values.