Trigonometry and its Applications in Real Life

Now that you’re done revising and exam stress is over, you may wonder how trigonometry has a place in your career. In fact, it has a role in many jobs and is far more than just calculating the sides of a triangle or its angles. 

Trigonometry can be quite taxing for some people, so finding the right tools to help with learning is vital. Having a foundational mathematical skill set, in general, is a leg-up with a range of career paths. 

What is Trigonometry?

The word "Trigonometry" comes from the Greek words trigono, meaning triangle, and metron, meaning measure. It studies the relationships triangles have and can easily be applied to various areas. These include astronomy and the study of planets, as well as navigation, engineering and architecture, to name a few. 

Astronomy

Trigonometry gives us a better understanding of the universe as it's able to calculate the distances between planets and stars. It can also help us measure the movement of celestial objects. Beyond celestial objects, Trigonometry assists in calculating the location, trajectory, and movements of both man-made satellites and space debris. 

Architecture

A strong mathematical background is a must in architecture, especially when you are looking to design a building. Buildings are full of angles, so they must be designed and drawn to ensure they will be structurally sound. This is especially true with their right-angled areas for support. With this calculated approach, you can build the right measurements during this design phase. This means you will have a perfect grasp of how it will assemble before actual construction begins. 

Construction

Trigonometry is crucial here again, as it can measure critical angles and distances during construction. It helps lay out the right amount of foundation and ensure it is right-angled. Added to that, it can help to build roads and, most importantly, help to construct bridges. It can even be utilised in the design phase of building systems, such as the plumbing and electrical. 

Music

Trigonometry can also help in the production of your favourite tunes! You can calculate the frequencies between the notes, which will allow for better music quality. It's also very effective in designing future musical instruments, enabling a better musical technique. 

Game Development

Many games these days create 3D environments, meaning game development depends on trigonometry as well. It's not just the need to calculate the gameplay area but any interactive objects that are created. It's also necessary when building object collision and special effects such as explosions. 

The better your skills with mathematics and trigonometry are, the more realistic the game will be. This is because these skills lead to a more refined technique and approach to the development. 

Conclusion

This is just a small sample of careers that can take advantage of trigonometry. The production value of trigonometry is numerous as long as you have the right understanding. That's why ensuring proper education in the matter is critical if you're looking towards one of these careers. Your learning doesn’t have to stop once your A-Levels are over. Plenty of resources exist to help you continue learning about trigonometry and real-world applications.