CAT 2023 » CAT Study Material » Quantitative Ability (Mathematics) » How Trigonometry is Applied in Daily Life Situations

How Trigonometry is Applied in Daily Life Situations

Trigonometry simply refers to calculations involving triangles (thus the tri). It is a mathematical study of relationships involving the lengths, heights, and angles of various triangles. The field arose from the application of geometry to astronomical studies in the 3rd century BC. Architects, surveyors, astronauts, physicists, engineers, and even crime scene investigators are among the people who use trigonometry.

The obvious answer is mathematics, but trigonometry is used extensively in physics as well. Another response ‘Trigonometry was first established in association with astronomy, with applications to navigation and the building of calendars,’ according to Morris Kline in his book Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times. 

This occurred approximately 2000 years ago. Geometry is a much older subject, and trigonometry is based on it. Trigonometry, on the other hand, maybe traced back over 4000 years to the civilizations of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India.

Is it possible to Apply Trigonometry in Everyday Life?

Although trigonometry does not have direct applications in solving real problems, it is applied in a variety of activities that we like. For example, sound travels in waves in music, and this pattern, while not as regular as a sine or cosine function, is nonetheless important in computer music development.

 Because a computer cannot listen to or perceive music as we do, it is mathematically represented by its constituent sound waves. As a result, sound engineers must have a rudimentary understanding of trigonometry. And, thanks to trigonometry, the good music that these sound engineers create is used to help us relax from our bustling, stressful lives.

Trigonometry can be used to find the height of a structure or mountains:

If we know the distance from where we have to observe the building and the angle of elevation. Similarly, we may discover another side in the triangle if we have the value of one side and the angle of depression from the top of the building. All we need is one side and the angle of the triangle.

Trigonometry in video games:

Have you ever played the game, Mario, about trigonometry in video games? When you see him glide over the roadblocks with such ease. He doesn’t actually jump straight along the Y-axis; instead, he follows a slightly curved or parabolic path to avoid the obstacles in his way. Mario can leap over these barriers because of trigonometry. Because the gaming industry is about technology and computers, trigonometry is equally important for these engineers.

Trigonometry in Construction: We Require Trigonometry in Construction to Compute the Following:

  • Measuring fields, lots, and regions; paralleling and perpendicularizing walls;
  • Ceramic tile installation;
  • Roof inclination; the height of the building, its width and length, and many more situations where trigonometry is required.
  • Trigonometry is used by architects to determine structural loads, roof slopes, ground surfaces, and a variety of other factors, such as sun shading and light angles.

Trigonometry in Aeroplane Engineering: 

Flight engineers must consider their own speed, distance, and direction, as well as the wind’s speed and direction. The wind has an important effect in how and when a plane arrives at its destination. This is addressed using vectors to build a triangle, which is then solved using trigonometry. For example, suppose a plane is flying at 234 mph and is 45 degrees north of east, with a 20-mph due south wind. Trigonometry will assist you in determining the third side of your triangle, which will direct the plane in the correct direction; the plane will actually travel with the force of the wind added to its trajectory.

Trigonometry in Physics:

In physics, trigonometry is used to discover the components of the vectors, simulate the mechanics of waves & oscillations (both physical and electromagnetic), sum the strength of fields, and apply dot and cross products. Trigonometry is used in projectile motion as well.

Is Trigonometry used by Archaeologists?

Trigonometry is utilised to appropriately divide the excavation sites into equal work zones. Archaeologists can utilise trigonometry to assist them to identify the various tools employed by the culture. They can use it to determine how far subterranean water pipes are.

In forensics, trigonometry can be used to calculate a projectile’s trajectory, determine what would have triggered a collision in a car accident, or how an object fell down from somewhere, or at what angle a bullet was launched, and so on.

Trigonometry in Marine Biology:

Marine biologists frequently utilise trigonometry to set measurements. For example, to determine how light levels at various depths affect algae’s capacity to photosynthesize. The distance of celestial bodies is calculated using trigonometry. Marine biologists also use mathematical models to monitor and analyse the behaviour of sea organisms. Trigonometry can be used by marine biologists to estimate the size of wild creatures from afar.

Trigonometry in Marine Engineering: 

Trigonometry is used to build and navigate maritime boats in marine engineering. Trigonometry is used to build the Marine ramp, which really is a sloping surface that connects lower and higher-level locations; depending on its application, it can be a slope or even a staircase.

Trigonometry in Navigation:

Trigonometry is used in navigation to set directions like north, south, east, and west, and it tells you the compass direction to take to get on a straight path. It can be used in navigation to find a certain spot. It’s also used to calculate the distance between the shore and a location in the water. It’s also utilised for spotting the horizon.

Other Applications of Trigonometry: 

  • include determining the height of ocean tides in oceanography.
  • The cosine and sine functions are essential in the study of periodic functions, which include sound and light waves.
  • Trigonometry and Algebra make up Calculus.
  • Trigonometry can also be used to roof a house, make the roof inclined (in the case of single-family bungalows), and calculate the height of a building’s roof, among other things.
  • The navy and aviation industries use it.
  • Cartography makes use of it (creation of maps).
  • Trigonometry is also used in satellite navigation systems.

CONCLUSION:

Trigonometry is the discipline of mathematics that studies the relationship between angles and sides of a triangle. Trigonometry is used in physics, architecture, & GPS navigation systems to determine the heights of large mountains or structures.

 It is also used in astronomy to determine the distance between stars or planets. The concept of trigonometry states that “if two triangles have the same set of angles, then their sides have the same ratio.” Side lengths vary, but side ratios remain consistent.

faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the CAT Examination Preparation.

A 60-foot pole was seen by a man. The pole cast a 20-foot shadow, according to his calculations. Using trigonometry, determine the sun's angle of elevation from the shadow's point.

Answer:  If x is the sun’s angle of elevation, then ...Read full

Explain the role of trigonometry in Physics.

Answer: In physics, trigonometry is used to discover the components of vectors, simulate the mechanics of waves and ...Read full

Find the cos of angle C if the sin of angle C is 0.3?

Answer: Given => sin C = 0.3 ...Read full

Is it possible to apply trigonometry in everyday life?

Answer: Although trigonometry does not have direct applications in solving rea...Read full

How is trigonometry used to find the height of structures and mountains?

Answer: If you know the distance from where you observe the building and the angle of elevation. Similarly, you may ...Read full