MATH 1720 - Precalculus Trigonometry

3 sem hrs cr

This course is a study of trigonometric functions and their application to right and oblique triangles, linear and angular velocities, vectors, graphical representation of trigonometric functions, identities and conditional equations, composite angle formulas, and other selected topics. Prerequisite: ACT Math sub-score of 19 or higher and one high school credit in each algebra I, algebra II, and geometry OR completion of MATH 1710  with a grade of “C” or higher

Students may not receive credit for both MATH 1720 and MATH 1730 .

In rare and unusual circumstances, a course prerequisite can be overridden with the permission of the Department Lead for the discipline.

This course may include proctored exams which must be completed on campus or at an instructor-approved proctoring center which may require additional costs to the student. Please consult your instructor for additional details.

  Formerly/Same As (Formerly MATH 1620)

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UT

By the end of the course, students will be able to…

• perform computations and do graphing involving the six trigonometric functionsfor angles given in radians and degrees.
• solve right and oblique triangles.
• verify identities and solve equations through applications of the fundamental identity relationships.
• apply trigonometric forms to operations on complex numbers.
• graph the six trigonometric functions and certain variations.

Course Objectives

Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to…

• define the six trigonometric functions in terms of x, y, and r using the distance formula, the rectangular coordinate system, and the Pythagorean Theorem. (PLO 1)
• compute trig function values for 30’, 45’, 60’, 0’, 90’, 180’, and 270’. (PLO 1)
• use a calculator to find angles for trig functions and functions for angles. (PLO 1 & 4)
• reduce trigonometric functions of positive or negative angles to functions of the acute-related angle. (PLO 1)
• solve right triangles using trigonometric functions. (PLO 1)
• solve applications problems involving angles of elevation and depression, bearing, and vectors. (PLO 1, 2, 3 & 4)
• solve oblique triangles using Law of Sines and Law of Cosines. (PLO 1)
• find areas of triangles. (PLO 1)
• convert angles measures from radians to degrees and degrees to radians. (PLO 1 & 4)
• solve applications problems involving arc length and linear and angular velocities. (PLO 1, 2, 3 & 4)
• verify trig identities using the basic Pythagorean, quotient, and reciprocal trig relationships. (PLO 1)
• evaluate the trig function values for the sum and difference of two angles and for double angles and half angles. (PLO 1)
• solve conditional trigonometric equations. (PLO 1)
• graph the six basic trigonometric functions. (PLO 1 & 5)
• graph variations of the six trig functions including changes in amplitude, wavelength, phase shifts and vertical shifts. (POL 1 & 4)
• graph and perform operations with the inverse trigonometric functions. (PLO 1 & 4)
• convert parametric equations to rectangular form and sketch using a graphing calculator. (PLO 1 & 4)
• convert polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates and rectangular coordinates to polar coordinates and graph polar equations; (PLO 1 & 4)
• compute polar forms for complex numbers and multiply, divide, and raise to powers complex numbers in polar form. (PLO 1 & 4)