The Mathematics Club ~ *ΜΑΘ* ~

Pokemon Trainer Touko said:

Oh my god~! My classmates are doing trigonometry and they don't even know what's the sine and cosine rules~?!?! :O Unbelievable~!

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Seriousally? well heres an easy way to remember Sin,Cos,Tan
Sin: Oh hell (O/H)
Cos: Another Hour (A/H)
Tan: Of Algebra (O/A)

NurseBarbra said:

Seriousally? well heres an easy way to remember Sin,Cos,Tan
Sin: Oh hell (O/H)
Cos: Another Hour (A/H)
Tan: Of Algebra (O/A)

Click to expand...

Insulting as this may be, I find it amusing and useful. I approve of it.

Pokemon Trainer Touko said:

Oh my god~! My classmates are doing trigonometry and they don't even know what's the sine and cosine rules~?!?! :O Unbelievable~!

Click to expand...

Assuming you are talking about the laws of sines and cosines, and not just the definitions of the functions, I have not memorized them either. I try to avoid memorizing stuff as much as I can, since deriving them from the basics is much more rewarding. It is quite fun when my mathematician tells me to solve a trigonometry problem on the blackboard. I derive everything from the basics, which takes ages. My teacher has learned not to get me on the blackboard the hard way. That is not the case with constants, however, since I want to maximize accuracy whenever I can. I remember once when we had a problem involving circles, which brought in pi. The teacher made the foolish mistake to make me solve it, and I went and used "3,141592653589793238462643383279506884197169399375" instead of "3,14". She ended up stopping me, and making me return to my seat, when she saw me multiplying that by the square of some number.

Username: Drekin
Overall Education Level: Highschool math plus 13 credit hours after this semester is over
Mathematics Education Level (Or most recent/advanced math subject): College Calculus I
Do you think you can be asked for help in your level or lower?: Definitely
Life = The Universe = Everything = : 42 (shouldn't it be Life + The Universe + Everything = ? )

NurseBarbra said:

Seriousally? well heres an easy way to remember Sin,Cos,Tan
Sin: Oh hell (O/H)
Cos: Another Hour (A/H)
Tan: Of Algebra (O/A)

Click to expand...

it took me a full day to realize what that meant.

here's my way of remembering;

S.O.H.C.A.H.T.O.A.

..you all know what the letters represent

Dude22376 said:

2) Let the numbers be x and y, x > y.
x + y = 8 (1)
x^2 - y^2 = 34 (2)
Again we have 2 equations and 2 unknowns, so it should be solvable.
Rearranging (1): y = 8 - x
Substituting into (2): x^2 - (8 - x)^2 = 34
Expanding: x^2 - 64 + 16x - x^2 = 34
Cancelling x squared and shifting -64 over: 16x = 34 + 64, thus x = 6.125
Then y = 1.875

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Actually, that wouldn't be necessary. Well, Unless you want to find the true value of x and y. Because

x + y = 8 ... (1)
x² - y² = 34 ... Factorize
(x+y)(x-y) = 34

From ... (1)
8(x-y) = 34
x-y = 34/8

Since the question asked for the difference of x and y, there's no need to solve for x and y.

Regeneration said:

This thread needs more manly trigonometry questions. I have one if anybody is bored:
If sinθ + cosθ = √2cos(90° - θ), find cot θ.

It's not really difficult, anyone wants to try?

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Gah. I hate Trigonometry. idk why. >.< Couldn't be bothered to remember all the values for cos/sin/tan pi/3, pi/6 etc.

Does someone has a formula for memorizing them? XD I know that you can basically just draw the unit circle and find the value, but I want to memorize them. It's way quicker to get, especially in exams.

NurseBarbra said:

Seriousally? well heres an easy way to remember Sin,Cos,Tan
Sin: Oh hell (O/H)
Cos: Another Hour (A/H)
Tan: Of Algebra (O/A)

Click to expand...

XD That's awesome XP

ShinyMeowth said:

I remember once when we had a problem involving circles, which brought in pi. The teacher made the foolish mistake to make me solve it, and I went and used "3,141592653589793238462643383279506884197169399375" instead of "3,14". She ended up stopping me, and making me return to my seat, when she saw me multiplying that by the square of some number.

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WIN

Impo said:

how are you so good at maths? i'm so jealous.

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It does help that I did those during my high school years, and I'm now in college studying things like derivatives and local linear approximations and whatnot XD

smile! said:

Gah. I hate Trigonometry. idk why. >.< Couldn't be bothered to remember all the values for cos/sin/tan pi/3, pi/6 etc.

Does someone has a formula for memorizing them? XD I know that you can basically just draw the unit circle and find the value, but I want to memorize them. It's way quicker to get, especially in exams.

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I have memorised the values of cos, sin, tan, etc. for 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

I learned only the values of Sin. (In degrees)
Sin 0 = 0 = Cos 90
Sin 30 = 1/2 = Cos 60
Sin 45 = 1 [FONT=&quot]/[FONT=&quot]√2 = Cos 45
Sin 60 = [FONT=&quot]√3/2 = Cos 30
Sin 90 = 1 = Cos 0
If you noticed, the values of Cos are just opposite of those of Sin.

Then, Tan = Sin/ Cos
Cosec = 1/Sin
Sec = 1/Cos
Cot = 1/Tan = Cos/ Sin

That way, you can remember the values with the help of just memorising the values of just Sin. We get to use a log table for all other values. XD
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

Yeah, that is a faster way of doing it. I guess it depends on whether you can spot such a shortcut right away or not.

I memorize all trigonometric values by imprinting a picture of their graphs in my mind (i.e. y = sin x, y = cos x, y = tan x). So I know right away that, for example, sin x starts at 0, goes up to 1, back down to 0, then -1, then 0 again.

One more thing when converting between radians and degrees: pi/6 is 30 and pi/3 is 60.

Regeneration said:

I learned only the values of Sin. (In degrees)
Sin 0 = 0 = Cos 90
Sin 30 = 1/2 = Cos 60
Sin 45 = 1 [FONT=&quot]/[FONT=&quot]√2 = Cos 45
Sin 60 = [FONT=&quot]√3/2 = Cos 30
Sin 90 = 1 = Cos 0
If you noticed, the values of Cos are just opposite of those of Sin.

Then, Tan = Sin/ Cos
Cosec = 1/Sin
Sec = 1/Cos
Cot = 1/Tan = Cos/ Sin

That way, you can remember the values with the help of just memorising the values of just Sin. We get to use a log table for all other values. XD
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

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Ooh. I remember trying the same approach last year. XD But when we moved into Calculus this year, I have forgotten all those Precalc methods I've devised. XD THANKS!

Dude22376 said:

Yeah, that is a faster way of doing it. I guess it depends on whether you can spot such a shortcut right away or not.

I memorize all trigonometric values by imprinting a picture of their graphs in my mind (i.e. y = sin x, y = cos x, y = tan x). So I know right away that, for example, sin x starts at 0, goes up to 1, back down to 0, then -1, then 0 again.

One more thing when converting between radians and degrees: pi/6 is 30 and pi/3 is 60.

Click to expand...

Mhm. I used to get stumped on such questions as well. Like, this can't be factorized. Heck, how am I going to get the value? Then my friend showed me that method, and I realized that you don't really need the value. It's more of how creative you are.

Memorizing graph pattern, cool. That could help. Thanks :)

ShinyMeowth said:

Assuming you are talking about the laws of sines and cosines, and not just the definitions of the functions, I have not memorized them either. I try to avoid memorizing stuff as much as I can, since deriving them from the basics is much more rewarding. It is quite fun when my mathematician tells me to solve a trigonometry problem on the blackboard. I derive everything from the basics, which takes ages. My teacher has learned not to get me on the blackboard the hard way. That is not the case with constants, however, since I want to maximize accuracy whenever I can. I remember once when we had a problem involving circles, which brought in pi. The teacher made the foolish mistake to make me solve it, and I went and used "3,141592653589793238462643383279506884197169399375" instead of "3,14". She ended up stopping me, and making me return to my seat, when she saw me multiplying that by the square of some number.

Click to expand...

Wow, that's just awesome.
And I agree with you on deriving any formulae, mainly because I don't trust my brain to get ALL the numbers correct when memorising, plus it's fun, and as you said it feels rewarding, and I can trust that I've gotten it right at the end.
As for memorising constants, I would like to memorise up to about 6 decimals (an accuracy to a millionth) but I know that Pi is 3.1415926 (7 decimals), e begins with 2, and phi begins with 1.618.

Regeneration said:

I have memorised the values of cos, sin, tan, etc. for 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

I learned only the values of Sin. (In degrees)
Sin 0 = 0 = Cos 90
Sin 30 = 1/2 = Cos 60
Sin 45 = 1 [FONT=&quot]/[FONT=&quot]√2 = Cos 45
Sin 60 = [FONT=&quot]√3/2 = Cos 30
Sin 90 = 1 = Cos 0
If you noticed, the values of Cos are just opposite of those of Sin.

Then, Tan = Sin/ Cos
Cosec = 1/Sin
Sec = 1/Cos
Cot = 1/Tan = Cos/ Sin[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

Click to expand...

That's actually very useful, perhaps I'll try and memorise that. It's a shame that, in school, I've only done SohCahToa, Law of Sine and Law of Cosine. I haven't been taught how the rules are related to each other (like Cosine and Sine are "reversed" and Tan is Sin/Cos), or anything like that.

Regeneration said:

Sin 0 = 0 = Cos 90
Sin 30 = 1/2 = Cos 60
Sin 45 = 1 [FONT=&quot]/[FONT=&quot]√2 = Cos 45
Sin 60 = [FONT=&quot]√3/2 = Cos 30
Sin 90 = 1 = Cos 0
If you noticed, the values of Cos are just opposite of those of Sin.
[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]

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The observation is correct, but the opposite of x is -x. What you meant is sin(45°±a)=cos(45°∓a).

I never memorize trigonometric values, since those most commonly used ones can be easily found by constructing triangles, and whenever you need something like sin(17), you are definitely going to have access to a table anyway.

I, on the other hand, always memorize formulas. I may have a go at deriving them when I have time, but I never derive formulas during tests/exams. Try deriving the ideal gas equation and tell me that memorizing PV = nRT is harder.
It actually isn't that hard, if you've done enough practice problems you can always fill in the correct numbers in the correct places. It's a bit like muscle memory.
Writing down every necessary formula on a piece of paper also helps.

I don't memorize constants like pi either - your answer is always either computed using a calculator, or given in terms of pi.

ShinyMeowth said:

I never memorize trigonometric values, since those most commonly used ones can be easily found by constructing triangles, and whenever you need something like sin(17), you are definitely going to have access to a table anyway.

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Yeah, but constructing triangles take time, and time is essential in a test. >.< Or in class, when your lecturer asks something and wants the answer fast. That is why I prefer memorizing. But you have a point there. If you suddenly get blank in an exam, you can start from scratch if you understand the basics and know how to construct the table.

Dude22376 said:

I, on the other hand, always memorize formulas. I may have a go at deriving them when I have time, but I never derive formulas during tests/exams.

Writing down every necessary formula on a piece of paper also helps.

I don't memorize constants like pi either - your answer is always either computed using a calculator, or given in terms of pi.

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I concur. :P

THAT. I seriously need to do that. First Principles, Newton's Method, Rolle's Theorem, Local Linear Approximation... They're all scattered throughout my notes. XD

We used to substitute pi for 22/7 or 3.142 in the high school, but now we give the answers in terms of pi instead. I love that better, because substituting pi for 22/7 or 3.142 doesn't really give a correct answer.


Also, I don't know whether you guys already know about this, but.
Speaking about pi, if you use 22/7 as pi, the equivalent value is 3.142857142857142857....

If you notice, we have a recurring sequence there, which is 142857. It's a roundabout number, i.e whenever you multiply that number by e.g 2, you get the same numbers, only in different sequence.

142857 x 2 = 285, 714
142857 x 3 = 428, 571
142857 x 4 = 571, 428
.
.
.
142857 x 7 = 999, 999
142857 x 8 = 1, 142, 856 (notice that 6+1 = 7 so essentially it's still 142, 857)

I don't know how far this number will stay the same though. XD

If there's one thing I hate more than trigonometry, it's modulus, I swear. They drive me nuts on limit questions. x.x I wonder if someone can help me with this?

Determine whether all the hypotheses of the Mean-Value Theorem are satisfied on the stated interval. If they are not satisfied, find all values of c guaranteed in the conclusion of the theorem.

f(x) = |x-1| on [-2,2]

...I didn't even understand the last part of the question. o.o Anyone? :3

The hypotheses required are:
(1) f(x) is continuous on [-2,2], and
(2) f(x) is differentiable on (-2,2)

The first statement is easy to prove: |x-1| can be piecewise defined, as 1-x if x < 1, 0 if x=1, and x-1 if x > 1. Since x-1 is a polynomial, and all polynomials are continuous over R, f(x) is continuous over [-2,1) and (1,2].
Next, we must check for continuity at x=1.


f(1) = 0
All 3 numbers match, so f(x) is continuous at x=1.

The second statement can be seen as false graphically: there is a corner point at x=1. However, we must prove this rigorously (no graphical methods are acceptable).

Start with the definition of derivative, calculate the left-hand derivative:

Noting that f(1) = 0, and using the piecewise definition of f(x) as described earlier.
Then calculate the right-hand derivative:

Since they are not the same, f(x) is not differentiable at x=1, so (2) is false.

One of the conditions was not satisfied, so no values of f'(c) are guaranteed. (1 - 3)/(2 - (-2)) = -0.5.
The only values of f' at the points where it is differentiable are 1 or -1.

p.s. I'm pretty sure the last part of the question is worded wrongly, because:
1) "not satisfied" = theorem doesn't count for anything
2) MVT involves f'(c), and does not state exactly which, or how many, values c could take.

Dude22376 said:

The hypotheses required are:
(1) f(x) is continuous on [-2,2], and
(2) f(x) is differentiable on (-2,2)

The first statement is easy to prove: |x-1| can be piecewise defined, as 1-x if x < 1, 0 if x=1, and x-1 if x > 1. Since x-1 is a polynomial, and all polynomials are continuous over R, f(x) is continuous over [-2,1) and (1,2].
Next, we must check for continuity at x=1.

f(1) = 0
All 3 numbers match, so f(x) is continuous at x=1.

The second statement can be seen as false graphically: there is a corner point at x=1. However, we must prove this rigorously (no graphical methods are acceptable).

Start with the definition of derivative, calculate the left-hand derivative:

Noting that f(1) = 0, and using the piecewise definition of f(x) as described earlier.
Then calculate the right-hand derivative:

Since they are not the same, f(x) is not differentiable at x=1, so (2) is false.

One of the conditions was not satisfied, so no values of f'(c) are guaranteed. (1 - 3)/(2 - (-2)) = -0.5.
The only values of f' at the points where it is differentiable are 1 or -1.

p.s. I'm pretty sure the last part of the question is worded wrongly, because:
1) "not satisfied" = theorem doesn't count for anything
2) MVT involves f'(c), and does not state exactly which, or how many, values c could take.

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Thank you! That was a great help ^^
And yeah, I don't know whether the last part of question is worded correctly. I'll ask my lecturer again to clarify. Anyway, thanks again! 8D

I didn't quite get that last part, though. The last 2 lines before the postnote.

This should be clearer.

f(2) = 1
f(-2) = 3.
(f(2) - f(-2))/(2 - (-2)) = -0.5.

d/dx (x-1) = 1 and d/dx (1-x) = -1.

Dude22376 said:

This should be clearer.

f(2) = 1
f(-2) = 3.
(f(2) - f(-2))/(2 - (-2)) = -0.5.

d/dx (x-1) = 1 and d/dx (1-x) = -1.

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Ah, of course. It's to clarify f(b)-f(a)/b-a = f'(c) right? I forgot the Theorem itself, lol. Thanks very much ^^

i had my maths test today.
i feel pretty confident :) .

i know i got one question wrong though (i accidentally added the dividends instead of leaving them, so the answer was too big) .

but i managed to conquer the speed questions :D
they were actually fun :)

thanks for all the help on here, too :)

Impo said:

i had my maths test today.
i feel pretty confident :) .

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I had my Calculus test yesterday as well :P And I felt it was better than the first one. At least I could answer all questions. XD

Although, I did one silly mistake by separating integral cos x sin x into integral cos x times sin x. =\ I thought you could do so, and only after the test when I checked I found out you cannot. >.<