IB Maths AA 3.2 Definitions

This page contains our IB Maths AA definitions for 3.2. By learning each one of these definitions, you will fully cover the content for IB Maths AA 'Introduction to trigonometry'.

All Topic 3 Sub-topics 3.1: Fundamentals Of Geometry 3.2: Introduction To Trigonometry 3.3: Applied Trigonometry 3.4: Circles 3.5: Unit Circle 3.6: Trigonometric Identities 3.7: Trigonometric Graphs (HL)3.8: Advanced trigonometry (HL)3.9: Compound angles (HL)3.10: Vectors (HL)3.11: Lines (HL)3.12: Planes

adjacent

The side next to the chosen acute angle in a right-angled triangle, not including the hypotenuse.

cosine

A trigonometric function whose derivative is

\frac{d}{dx}(\cos x)=-\sin x

cosine rule

A relationship for any triangle linking two sides and the included angle:

c^2=a^2+b^2-2ab\cos C

hypotenuse

The longest side in a right-angled triangle, opposite the

90^\circ

angle.

opposite

The side that lies across from the chosen acute angle in a right-angled triangle.

sine

A trigonometric ratio/function that can be expanded for compound angles using $\\sin\left(A\pm B\right)=\sin A\cos B\pm\cos A\sin B$ .

sine rule

A relationship for any triangle with sides

a

b

c

opposite angles

A

B

C

\frac{a}{\sin A}=\frac{b}{\sin B}=\frac{c}{\sin C}

tangent

A line that touches a curve at a point and has the same local slope as the curve there, used to interpret the derivative at that point.

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