trigonometry Hear it!

trigonometry Definition

trigo·nom·etry (trig′ə näm′ə trē)

noun pl. -·tries

the branch of mathematics that deals with the ratios between the sides of a right triangle with reference to either acute angle (trigonometric functions), the relations between these ratios, and the application of these facts in finding the unknown sides or angles of any triangle, as in surveying, navigation, engineering, etc.

Etymology: ModL trigonometria < Gr trigōnon, triangle (see trigon) + -metria, measurement (see -metry)

trigonometry Related Forms
trig′o·no·met′·ric (-nə me′trik) adjective or trig′o·no·met′·ri·cal trig′o·no·met′·ri·cally adverb
trigonometry Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • use: Simple Calculation of Shadows Shadow length can be calculated quite simply using trigonometry.
  • teach: Above: A CLS boy enjoys teaching trigonometry to one of his pupils!
  • do: This contained work on planar and spherical trigonometry originally done much earlier in about 1464.
  • apply: He applied Alexandrian trigonometry to estimate the distances and sizes of the sun and moon, and also postulated a heliocentric universe.
  • know: Whenever triangles turn up, you need to know trigonometry to deal with them.
  • develop: He shows how Greek astronomers developed the first true trigonometry.

Converse of subject

  • calculate: If the parallax angle of a star is known then its distance can be calculated by trigonometry.

Adjective modifier

  • spherical: These texts were the precursors of spherical trigonometry, which became vital to astronomy.
  • basic: Continue geometry, including Pythagoras ' Theorem and basic trigonometry.
  • simple: The use of these simple trigonometry is illustrated by the method of calculating distances on the Earth.
  • rational: Thanks to some brilliant Australian dude, we now have " rational trigonometry " .
  • elementary: Relationships and common formulae from elementary trigonometry, including the basic properties of sine and cosine.
  • three-dimensional: These calculations are little more than three-dimensional trigonometry in most cases involving converting tape, compass and clino measurements into an XYZ vector.

Modifies a noun

  • book: Last week, I needed to decipher an engineer's property description, and did not have to haul out my old trigonometry book.
  • a.: TRIGONOMETRY a. Revision of year 9 i.e. i. Using two sides to find an angle ii.

Noun used with modifier

  • plane: Triangulation A method of determining the location of an unknown point, as in GPS navigation, by using the laws of plane trigonometry.

Preposition: in

  • case: These calculations are little more than three-dimensional trigonometry in most cases involving converting tape, compass and clino measurements into an XYZ vector.