El Camino College - Division of Mathematical Sciences

Math 170
Trigonometry
3 units; 3 hours lecture

Catalog Description Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation
Outline of Subject Matter Planned Instructional Activities

Grading Method: Letter

Associate Degree Credit --- Transfers to CSU --- Does Not Transfers to UC

Prerequisite: Mathematics 60 with a minimum grade of C and Mathematics 70 with a minimum grade of C, or qualification by testing (El Camino College Mathematics Placement Test) and assessment.

Catalog Description:
  This course includes a study of trigonometric functions, their inverses, trigonometric identities, equations, complex numbers, graphs of trigonometric functions, and applications.
Note :Mathematics 170 was formerly numbered Mathematics 2A.
Note: One year of high school geometry is equivalent to Mathematics 60.

Course Objectives and Methods of Evaluation:

  1. Course objectives (list the major objectives stated as student outcomes in behaviorally measurable terms.)
    1.  Solve problems using angles and triangles.
    2. Define trigonometric functions using the unit circle and right triangles.
    3. Find values of trigonometric functions using reference angles.
    4. Graph trigonometric functions and their inverses.
    5. Solve problems using sum, difference, multiple-angle, and product-sum formulas.
    6. Solve problems using the Laws of Sines and Cosines.
    7. Perform operations on complex numbers, including finding powers and roots.
    8. Perform operations of addition, subtraction, and scalar multiplication on vectors.
    9. Solve problems using vectors.
    10. Prove trigonometric identities and solve trigonometric equations.
    11. Prove trigonometric identities and solve trigonometric equations.
    12. solve application problems.
    13. Solve problems using technology (calculator and/or computer software).
  1. Methods of Evaluation - Associate Degree Credit Course
    1. Substantial writing assignments are inappropriate for this degree applicable course because:
      1. The course primarily involves skill demonstrations or problem solving.
    2. Computational or non-computational problem-solving demonstrations, including:
      1. Exam
      2. Quizzes
      3. Homework problems

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Outline of Subject Matter
 

Approximate Time

Major Topic

18 hours

I. Trigonometry

  1. Radian and Degree Measure
  2. Trigonometric functions and unit circle
  3. Trigonometric functions of an acute angle
  4. Reference angles
  5. Graphs of trigonometric functions
  6. Inverse trigonometric functions and their graphs
  7. Applications

12 hours

II. Analytic Trigonometry

  1. Trigonometric identities
  2. Trigonometric equations
  3. Sum , difference, multiple angle and product-sum formulas

9 hours

III. Applications

  1. Laws of Sines and Cosines
  2. Vectors and their applications

6 hours

IV.  Complex Numbers

  1. Arithmetic
  2. Complex solutions of polynomial equations
  3. Trigonometric form
  4. De Moivre's Theorem and  nth roots

9 hours

Examinations

Total:

54 Hours

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Planned Instructional Activities:

Lecture, discussion, individual and group work

Entrance Skills and Knowledge:

List the required skills and/or knowledge without which a student would be highly unlikely to receive a grade of A, B, C, or Credit (or for Health and Safety, would endanger self or others) in the Target Course.

  1. Solve application problems at the Intermediate Algebra level.
  2. Solve linear and quadratic equations at the Intermediate Algebra level.
  3. Graph basic functions: linear, quadratic exponential and logarithmic at the Intermediate Algebra level.
  4. Recognize geometric relationships.
  5. Solve problems involving right triangles.
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Source of information: Course Outline of Record dated January, 2001


 Last Updated On: 4/20/06