UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

COURSE MANUAL 2020/2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

FIRST SEMESTER

Course Information

Title: Trigonometry
Code: MATD 231
Credits: 3
Entry Requirements: MATD 111-Algebra, MATD 112- Geometry

Instructor(s) Information
Name: Nana Akosua Owusu – Ansah (PhD)
Position: Senior Lecturer
Office: Ground Floor of Faculty of Science Block
Office hours: By appointment
Tel No.: +233-244-911-841
Email: naowusu-ansah@uew. edu.gh
Introduction:

Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics that deals with the relations of the sides and angles of
triangles and with the relevant functions of any angles. The scientific fields that make use of
trigonometry include: architecture, civil engineering, geophysics, physical sciences, mechanical
engineering, number theory, probability theory and statistics. The fact that these fields involve
trigonometry does not mean knowledge of trigonometry is needed in order to learn anything about
them however some things in these fields cannot be understood without trigonometry. This course
has a lot of connection with the Calculus and Geometry and will be useful in studying other courses
in your subsequent years of under graduate studies. As prospective teachers will need this course for
your personal development and to be effective in the teaching and learning activity of at the Junior
and Senior High schools.

Subject content

Trigonometric ratios and their reciprocals, trigonometric functions, evaluating trigonometric

functions, Circular functions of angles of magnitude and their graphs, Modeling with trigonometric
functions, Trigonometric Formula including multiple angles, Trigonometric identities, Solutions to
Trigonometric Equations, Inverse of Trigonometric functions, Maxima and Minima of
Trigonometric Expressions, Solutions of Triangles and Three Dimensional Problems.

Connection with other courses:

This course has a lot of connection with Calculus

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Learning objectives:

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

(i)explain the historical background of Trigonometry

(ii)investigate trigonometry ratios and their reciprocals
(iii)identify a unit circle and use its coordinates to draw the basic trigonometric graphs
(iv) draw and explain trigonometry graphs and their transformations
(v) prove trigonometry identities and apply them to solve trigonometry equations
(vi) prove the sine and cosine rule as well as the heron’s formula and use them in
solving triangles
(vii) solve and explain three dimensional problems in trigonometry

Literature and materials

Compulsory study text:

Owusu-Ansah, N. A. & Apawu, J. (2021). Trigonometry: For Tertiary Institution. University of
Education, Winneba Press.
Supplementary study texts:
Stewart, J., Redlin, L., & Watson, S. (2006). PRECALCULUS: Mathematics for Calculus
(5th Edition). USA: Thomson Learning, Inc.
Morash, R.P. (1987) A Bridge to Abstract Mathematics; Random House Inc, New York.
Backhouse, J. K., Houldsworth S. P. T. & Horil, P. T. F. (1990) Pure Math Book 1 4th Ed
Honkong: Longman.

Materials used:
(i) Scientific calculators
(ii) Computers
(iii) Note books and Graph books

Course Schedule:

Week Content Topics Learning activities Pre-Lesson Preparation

and Assignments
1 Trigonometric Ratio Students discuss with the Read on the basics of
instructor the basic trigonometry. Pgs. 1-12 of
terminologies in angles and main course book
three basic trigonometric
ratios, reciprocals.

Discussion on radian
measure, converting
between degrees and
radians, and decimal
degrees and degree,

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 minutes and seconds. Arc
length and its application.
Linear velocity and After lesson:
Angular velocity solve the trial questions on
pages 12 and 13.

2. Trigonometric Functions Students with Instructor Read pgs. 14-23 of the main
discuss trigonometric course textbook and work
functions, quadrantal through given examples.
angles, reciprocal angle,
signs and ranges of
function values
Pythagorean identities and
quotient identities.

Students apply their

knowledge in evaluating
trigonometric functions of
30, 45 and 60 degrees to After lesson:
evaluate trigonometric solve the trial questions on
functions at any angle. pages 34 and 35.

3. Evaluating Trigonometric Students with the instructor Read pgs. 24-33 of the main
Functions discuss reference angle in a course textbook and work
unit circle and negative through given examples.
angles on the Cartesian
plane
After lesson:
Students will evaluate  solve the trial questions
trigonometric functions on page 36.
and solve right triangles  work assignment 1 on
and its applications. pg.37

4 Circular Functions Discussion on basic graphs Read pgs. 38-55 of the main
Graphs and their of circular functions and course textbook and work
Transformation their reciprocals and their through given examples.
properties. Surf the internet for more
examples.
Hands-on activity on
graphs of basic
trigonometric graphs using NB: Come to class with a
geogebra and drawing it laptop. Install GeoGebra or
manually. any graphing software for
sketching trigonometric
Discussing the curves
transformation of the

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 graphs in groups and trying
examples. After lesson:
solve trial questions 3.8.1 on
page 60.

5 Modeling with Students apply knowledge Read pgs. 55-59 on of the

trigonometric functions on the basic trigonometric main course textbook and
graphs to determine the work through given
amplitude, period and draw examples.
graphs of transformation of
sine and cosine etc
After lesson:
Model real life situations  Solve trial questions
using trigonometric graphs 3.8.2 on page 60.
and presenting solutions on  Work on assignment 2
board. page 60
6 Trigonometric Identities Students differentiate Read pages 74-90 of the
between equations and main course textbook and
identities work through given
examples.
Students state fundamental
trigonometric identities and
simplify trigonometric
expressions

In small groups and with

the help of the instructor
students prove
trigonometric identities
involving addition and
subtraction

7 Multiple Angles Students with the instructor Read pgs. 91-110 and 116-
Identities, Other prove the compound angles 124 of the main course
Identities and Formulae formula and use them to textbook and work through
find solutions of given examples.
trigonometric functions
In groups students use their
knowledge in identities to
derive the double angle, After lesson:
triple angle, half angle  solve trial questions on
formula, t-formula and the pages 110-113.
form 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥  work on assignment 5.13
on pages 114 and 115

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8 Maxima and Minima of Students will apply Read 125 and 126 of the
Trigonometric appropriate substitution to main course textbook and
Expressions determine maximum and work through given
minimum values of examples.
trigonometric functions
and find the maximum After lesson:
values of 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 + 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥  solve trial questions on
pages 126 and 127.
 work on assignment 6.6
on pages 127 and 128
9 Inverse Trigonometric Students define and draw Read pgs. 61-72 of the main
Functions trigonometric functions course textbook and work
with required restriction through given examples.
and solve for principal
values of inverse functions After lesson:
first in small groups and solve the trial questions on
then individually page 73.

One hour quiz will be taken by all students taking

this course after weeks 5-8 topics have been treated (tentative)
10 Solutions of Students in small groups Read pgs. 129-135 of the
Trigonometric Equations solve trigonometric main course textbook and
equation and determine the work through given
solutions of graphs of examples.
trigonometry equations
After lesson:
 solve trial questions on
page 135
 work on assignment 7.5
on pages 135 and 136

11 Solutions of Triangles Students to use sine and Read pgs. 137-154 of the
cosine rules to solve for main course textbook and
unknown sides or angles of work through given
a given triangles. Students examples.
calculate areas of triangles
using sine and cosine rules After lesson:
and prove and use the  solve trial questions on
Heron’s formula to solve pages 155 and 156.
triangles.  work on assignment 8.4
on pages 157-158
13 Three Dimensional Students apply Read pgs. 159-163 of the
Problems trigonometric ratios to main course textbook and
solve problems related to work through given
three dimensional figures examples.
such as pyramids

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 Students to meet and present
solutions to three
dimensional problems.
Group work will be
presented in class
One-hour quiz will be taken by all students taken
this course after weeks 8-12 topics have been treated

MODE OF INSTRUCTION(S)
This course will take a “hybrid” form of instruction, which involves online learning and face-to-face
meetings. Online will take two (2) hours and face-to-face will take one hour. The online meetings are not
limited since course materials can be uploaded on the virtual platform at any given time.

ASSIGNMENTS:
All assignments should be presented by the course representative on time as discussed in class.
Deadlines are sacred.
MODE OF ASSESSMENT
Attendance and class contribution 5%
Out-of-class/ in-class assignments/projects and quizzes 35%
Final Exam 60%
Grading Policies:
A = 80-100, B+ = 75-79, B = 70-74, C+ = 65-69, C = 60-64, D+ = 55-59, D = 50-54, Below 50 =
E

COURSE POLICIES:
Any violation of the university rules relating to courses will result in a failing grade on the
assignment and possible university disciplinary action.

CODE OF CONDUCT:
 Attendance and active participation are required in this class. You are expected to read all the
assigned material before class and attend every class session fully prepared to participate in
discussions and activities. Lateness to lectures will not be entertained.
 Do assigned homework on time, show eagerness, aggressiveness and enthusiasm towards the course
 Please switch off cell phones or put on silent mode before entering the lecture theater
 Be courteous and considerate to your other classmates and to the lecturer. Harassment in any form
will not be tolerated.
 Students with disabilities will be appropriately accommodated. Please let me know at the beginning
of the semester if you need particular accommodations.
 Mathematics is a cumulative subject. Do not expect to understand subsequent material if you have
not mastered current material

PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarized work will receive a score of zero on the assignments. Plagiarism may also warrant a failing
grade in the course and /or university disciplinary action.