Lesson 7: Introduction to Trigonometry

Module 1 Part 2: Trigonometry

 

 

Lesson Assessment

 

Complete the lesson quiz posted under the Assess tab or by using the Quizzes link under the Activitires block. Also, ensure your work in your binder (course folder) is complete. 

 

Project Connection **NOT ASSIGNED**

 

At this time, you should work on your Unit 1 Project. Go to the Unit 1 Project, and complete the Lesson 7 portion of the project.

 

Going Beyond

 

There are many uses of trigonometry. A sundial is a device that measures time based on the position of the Sun. A sundial is designed in such a way that the Sun casts a shadow from a sharp, straight edge onto a flat surface marked with lines that indicate the hours of the day.

 

In theory, a stick stuck in the ground could form the basis of a sundial. In reality, it’s not that simple. Earth’s axis is tilted, which means that the apparent movement of the Sun through the sky changes every day. If this isn’t accounted for, a sundial that tells perfect time today will be slightly wrong next week and very wrong next month.

 

See if you can find out how to build a sundial by doing a search on the Internet. Use the search terms “how to build a sundial.” Then look through a few of the websites to find a simple set of instructions.

 

(After you construct a real sundial, perhaps you will be interested in adding a virtual sundial into your unit project!)

 

In order to construct a sundial accurately, you will need to find the direction “due north” and you will also need to know the latitude of the town or city where you reside.

 

Note: Grande Prairie has a latitude of approximately 55°, Calgary is 51°, and Edmonton is 53°. You can go online to look up the latitude of your community. The multimedia piece Latitude Table shows a table that includes the latitude of many communities in Alberta.

 

Latitude & Longitude Table for Alberta

Place	Latitude Deg (N)	Latitude Min	Longitude Deg (W)	Longitude Min
Acadia Valley	51	12	110	04
Alix	52	27	113	13
Alsands	57	30	111	25
Barrhead	54	08	114	24

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