Trigonometry Projects

These projects represent your ability to use the mathematics of this course as a tool for decision making and persuasion as well as your mathematical reasoning and communication skills. Collectively they are valued with the greater weight than any single exam. Good mathematics is seldom produced in isolation, therefore you are encouraged to talk and work with others in solving these problems but the final written narrative analysis is to be done individually.

Requirements for all trigonometry projects:

1. A stand alone narrative analysis, written as if the reader is unfamiliar with the given problem. Projects are to include a statement as to the nature and rationale of the problem to be solved.

2. A reasoned solution to the problem with explanation, including graphs diagrams or tables for reference.

3. A clear statement of the conclusions drawn from the solution as well as possible generalizations of the solution and/or problem.

4. Projects are to be typed or neatly printed, double spaced. (MLA format)

Project 1 – Logistics Problem - Chapter 1 (Group Activity)

Use right triangle ratios to find the maximum length of a log able to negotiate a right angle turn. Constraint of the right triangle and right triangle ratios are to be discussed.

Project 2 – Predator/Prey Relationship – Chapter 3 (Group Activity)

From raw data, construct a trigonometric model explaining the fluctuations in both populations and then discuss how these are related to each other. Features of the trigonometric model are to be explained in the context of the populations.

Project 3 – Exploration of Functions – Chapter 5 (Group Activity)

Explore the behavior of two functions involving 1/x. Note and explain functions end behavior, behavior near x = 0 and other interesting features.

Projects are scored out of 50 points:

10 Problem formulation

15 Narrated solution

15 Conclusions and generalizations

10 Quality of presentation