Trigonometric functions are fundamental in mathematics, especially in the study of triangles and oscillatory phenomena. These functions include sine, cosine, and tangent, among others. Each trigonometric function correlates an angle to a specific ratio of sides in a right-angled triangle.
For instance:
- The sine function relates the angle to the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the hypotenuse.
- The cosine function relates the angle to the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.
- The tangent function is the ratio of the opposite side to the adjacent side.
Trigonometric functions are crucial in various fields such as physics, engineering, and even finance due to their periodic nature, which helps analyze cycles and patterns.