What is Trigonometry?

  • Good for estimating distances.
  • Good to navigate streets.

    • Trigonometry makes estimates precise.

  • Perpendicular vectors are independent.>
  • All right triangles with the same base angle are similar.
  • Each side of a right triangles is shorter than the hypotenuse. But the sum of the two side lengths is greater than the hypotenuse.
  • The ratio of a side length to the hypotenuse is a trigonometric function.

    • Choosing Axes

  • By Motion:

    • Forces parallel to the velocity change speed. Forces perpendicular to the velocity change direction.

  • By Surface:

    • A normal force, perpendicular to the surface, keeps an object from breaking through the surface. A force parallel to the surface can produce, or prevent, motion along the surface.

    The Method

    Decompose a vector

    Decompose another vector

    Combine components

    Add two vectors