How to Use a Calculator for Trigonometry

Simple trigonometry values can be easily determined without the use of a calculator.
••• Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

Although a calculator won't help you learn the basic principles of trigonometry, it is almost indispensable for doing the grunt work.This article will show you how to use the basic trigonometric functions on your calculator.

    Find the sine, cosine, or tangent of an angle. Simply enter the value of the angle in degrees and push the "sin," "cos," or "tan" button.

    Convert the sine of an angle into the measure of the angle. Input the value of the sine, then hit the button that says "arcsin," or "sin-1."

    Convert the cosine or tangent of an angle into the measure of the angle. Input the value of the cosine or tangent and press the button that says "arccos," or "cos-1."

    Learn the definition of multiplicative inversives. The multiplicative inverse of a number is obtained by flipping the numerator and the denominator. For example, the multiplicative inverse of 5 is 1/5.

    Learn how multiplicative inverses apply to trigonometry. The 6 trigonometric function: sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent can be grouped into three pairs of inversives. Sine is the inverse of cosecant, cosine is the inverse of secant, and tangent is the inverse of cotangent.

    Press the 1/x button to find the inverse of a sine, cosine, or tangent value. For example, if you know that the sine of angle a is 0.66803, press 1/x to get the cosecant of that number.

    Tips

    • In some calculators, there is no "arcsin," or "sin-1" button. Instead, you have to push a "shift" or "function" key, then push the normal "sin" button.

Related Articles

How to Calculate Arctan
How to Find the X Intercept of a Function
How to Type a Mixed Fraction in a TI-83 Plus
How to Solve for Range
How to Divide Rational Numbers
How to Calculate Sides of a Triangle
How to Solve for Sigma on a TI83
How to Find Correlation Coefficient & Coefficient of...
To Calculate Arcsine, What Buttons Do You Press on...
How to Reset a TI89
How to Calculate KVA to MVA
How to Do Fractions on a TI-30X IIS
How to Insert an Absolute Value in a Scientific Calculator
How to Find the Missing Side of a Right Triangle
How do I Calculate 0.1%?
How to Calculate Moles from Molecular Weight
How to Use the TI-84 Plus Calculator to Convert Sine,...
How to Calculate Instantaneous Rate

Dont Go!

We Have More Great Sciencing Articles!