FORMATS: 6" x 9" paperback (ISBN: 978-1941691038). 8.5" x 11" paperback with large print (ISBN: 978-1941691021). Kindle e-book (ASIN: B0106X7NL4).
WHAT TO EXPECT: This book reviews essential trigonometry concepts, ideas, and skills. Topics include the basic trig functions, special angles, the reference angle, the unit circle, going beyond Quadrant I, inverse trig functions, and radians. A few chapters are intended to help students memorize the trig functions of common angles like 30, 150, or 315 degrees, which will be especially useful for students who may take exams without a calculator (that's the case with the MCAT and many math and science courses). Each chapter works out examples with step-by-step solutions and explanations. Problems at the end of each chapter offer practice carrying out the techniques. The answer to every exercise can be found on the following page.
CONTENTS: This book is conveniently divided up into 9 chapters so that students can focus on one trigonometry skill at a time. Skills include the following:
- review of the Pythagorean theorem and relevant properties of triangles;
- understanding sine, cosine, and tangent;
- special angles and special triangles;
- working with the reference angle;
- using the unit circle;
- working in Quadrants II-IV;
- finding secant, cosecant, and cotangent;
- finding inverse trig functions;
- and converting between degrees and radians.
AUTHOR: Chris McMullen earned his Ph.D. in physics from Oklahoma State University and currently teaches physics at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He developed the Step-by-Step and Improve Your Math Fluency series of workbooks to help students become more fluent in basic math skills.
ANSWERS: Answers to exercises can be found on the page following the practice problems. This helps students develop confidence and ensures that students practice correct techniques, rather than practice making mistakes.
