Whether studying geometry, algebra, physics or calculus, trigonometric functions play an important role in solving many mathematical problems.
Fortunately, scientific calculators make accessing trig functions easy once you understand the basic processes. This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of using sine, cosine and tangent on any scientific calculator.
Identifying Trig Keys
All scientific calculators include dedicated trigonometric keys. Look for the “SIN”, “COS”, and “TAN” buttons that represent the primary trig functions. Some models also include the inverse functions – ASIN, ACOS and ATAN. Knowing where these are located is the first step.
Entering Angles
Trig functions require an angle of rotation to be entered in either degrees or radians. Degrees are denoted with °, while radians use no symbol. Simply type the measure and select the units by pressing “DEG/RAD” as needed. Calculators will automatically convert values between the units.
Inputting Values
To calculate a trig function, first press the desired key such as “SIN”. Then, enter the angle value. The display will show the output – the ratio or percentage based on the trig function. For example, “SIN(45)” equals 0.707106781.
Determining Quadrants
When working with quadrantal angles or those greater than 90 degrees, remember your calculators understand the unit circle. So “SIN(210)” and “SIN(210+360)” both give the same output by considering the angle’s reference position.
With practice inputting angles and selecting trig functions, scientific calculators become intuitive to find trigonometric values essential to modelling real-world concepts. Understanding how to access these keys makes trigonometry computations quick and easy. Click For More