Week 10 Journal Topic

Read the short bit on trigonometric functions. Note that sen(x) is Spanish for sin(x).

What is interesting from a precalculus perspective today is that when these new functions sine, cosine, tangent, etc were developed the mathematicians of the day tried to do the usual things with them that they did to other functions, and it was difficult. It took the development of calculus and complex numbers to help figure things out.

Have you seen anything about the history of modern trig before, and what do you think of the fact that many mathematical developments (complex numbers, functions, calculus, etc) had to occur to get to the point we are at today?

If you are interested and want a more complete history, you can read this.

UMM Webmail to mcquarrb@morris.umn.edu.

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