What is the basic point of Trig?

[krimzondeleeuw]

I'm not great at math but I don't understand what Trigonometry is used for. Can I get a basic explanation?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I'm not great at math but I don't understand what Trigonometry is used for. Can I get a basic explanation?

Before we answer that:

Are you taking Trig in a class?

If you are:

Which class? Which Grade?

 

[lev888]

You and a friend are standing by a river. He says, "I bet you $100 I can measure how wide the river is without crossing it." If you knew trigonometry you wouldn't take the bet.
More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigonometry

 

[firemath]

Trigonometry is the study of triangles (as can be guessed from the name) and how to solve them.
By solve, we mean find one or more "non-given" parts of a triangle.

 

[JeffM]

I'd answer this in two ways.

Trigonometry was originally developed for practical uses in measuring, initially in surveying and later in navigation, cartography, and engineering. It is still used in such fields.

Starting in the late 17th century, it was found to be essential in certain parts of calculus and in the study of periodic phenomena generally. This has greatly expanded the range of trig in modern science and technology, for example acoustics.

 

[krimzondeleeuw]

Before we answer that:

Are you taking Trig in a class?

If you are:

Which class? Which Grade?

I'm not taking any classes about it I was just interested.

 

[krimzondeleeuw]

I'd answer this in two ways.

Trigonometry was originally developed for practical uses in measuring, initially in surveying and later in navigation, cartography, and engineering. It is still used in such fields.

Starting in the late 17th century, it was found to be essential in certain parts of calculus and in the study of periodic phenomena generally. This has greatly expanded the range of trig in modern science and technology, for example acoustics.

Neat.

 

[Steven G]

We study trigonometry for the beauty in it! We start with with a few definitions and we prove so many facts and useful facts in that. As all math courses do, studying trigonometry teaches you how to think better.