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1 1.0 Introduction 1
2 2.0 Uses of Trigonometry in Daily Life 1
3 2.1 Uses of Trigonometry in Navigation 1-2
4 2.2 Uses of Trigonometry in Music 2-3
6 3.0 Conclusion 4
7 References 5

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1.0 Introduction

Trigonometry is a study of the relationship of angles, lengths, and heights. It has

emerged in the third century BC involving applications from astronomy to geometric studies.
Now it has spread its application into wider fields like engineering, physics, surveyors,
architects, astronauts and even in the investigation of a crime scene.

Apart from astronomy and geography, trigonometry is applicable in various fields like
satellite navigation, developing computer music, chemistry number theory, medical imaging,
electronics, electrical engineering, civil engineering, architecture, mechanical engineering,
oceanography, seismology, phonetics, image compression and game development.

2.0 Trigonometry in Daily Life

2.1 Uses of Trigonometry in Navigation

Navigation is the process to accurately determine one’s position and planning a route for
the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. Trigonometry is fundamental to
navigation. Trigonometry is used extensively in calculations referring to Cartesian coordinates.
Cartesian coordinates are used to represent North, South, East and West directions. Through
the use of Trigonometry the distance between objects, the required direction and a vessel’s or
aircraft’s bearings can be calculated.

A compass is a navigational instrument that shows four direction points. These points
are North, South, East and West. A compass rose, showing these directions is drawn on the
compass with ‘N’ signifying North. Compasses are essential in Navigation for it determines
bearings and which way to travel. Before the compass, the position and direction at sea was
done by the sighting of landmarks and stars. The invention of the compass enabled a heading
to be determined when bad weather occurred in addition to latitude and longitude. Without the
compass people could not accurately navigate away from land and therefore not engage in
trade with other nations.

In marine navigation, a bearing is the direction one object is from another object, usually,
the direction of an object from one’s own vessel. In aircraft navigation, a bearing is the actual
compass direction of the forward course of the aircraft. In land navigation, a bearing is the angle
between a line connecting two points. Bearings is usually measured in degrees.

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 Without trigonometry, there would be no bearings meaning that navigation by sea, air
and land will be different.With the compasses and bearings and also the application of
trigonometry, we can solve some problems in navigation. For example:

1. A plane leaves an airport and flies 600 km on a bearing of 145°

a)How far south of the airport is the plane?

Solution:

Let x = distance south and missing angle in SAP = 35°

x
Cos 35° =
600

x = 600 cos 35°

x = 491 Km

Therefore the plane is 491 km south of the airport

b) What is the three-figure bearing of the airport from the plane?

Solution:

A compass rose is drawn at the position of the plane.

NPA = 35° (alternate)

Therefore the bearing of the airport from the plane is 360°- 35° = 325°

2.2 Uses of Trigonometry in Music

The sounds that we hear every day, including music, reach our ear as sound waves.
These sound waves travel through the air at different angles from the original sound source.
The sound then bounces off whatever is nearby, such as people or the walls of a concert hall. If
a building is designed in such a way that the sound does not bounce back to the listener’s ear
well, then the music can be hard to hear or it can sound unbalanced. Engineers use
trigonometry to figure out the angles of the sound waves and how to design a room or hall so
that the waves bounce to the listener in a balanced and direct manner. Studio producers or hall

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managers sometimes install panels that hang from the ceiling of the room—these panels can be
adjusted at specific angles to get the sound waves to bounce correctly.

Studio producers have the job of making a musical recording sound balanced. They use
many different computer programs in order to do this. The computer programs can allow a
producer to see the sound waves that have been recorded as different types of graphs. These
graphs are produced as the program uses trigonometric equations to quickly calculate how the
graph should appear based on individual points—the sine wave of a singer’s voice, for instance,
can be viewed visually using this process. The producer then can tweak things like pan and
volume based on the visual cues in the graphs.

By changing the slider,n to see the notes and their frequencies, and listen to their sound.

Trigonometry is used to explain how harmonics is produced. Every note or pitch in music
is determined by the size of its sine wave—that is, it is determined by its frequency. Notes with
wide sine waves are lower in pitch and have fewer cycles per second, while notes that have
narrow sine waves are higher in pitch and have more cycles per second. Musicians can
manipulate their timbre by manipulating the sine waves produced. For instance, if a player plays
a note with a frequency of 512 hertz, then a harmonic or partial is produced above it at 1,024
hertz, and you may hear a base note with the same note an octave higher. Violin players use
knowledge of harmonics frequently, and tuning is related to how the base frequencies and
harmonics interact.

The reason why different instruments sound different when playing the same note, is
that they don't play one single sine wave. An instrument in general also plays a number of

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overtones, and these overtones may vary between different instruments. An overtone is a tone
having a higher frequency than the note being played. If you consider a string of a guitar, then
the length of the string (measured by where you hold down a finger) decides what frequencies
you hear since the string is attached at both ends. Mathematically, this corresponds to dividing
half a period by an integer, which means multiplying the angular frequency by an integer.

You can add three overtones by letting their respective amplitude increase from zero.

3.0 Conclusion

Mathematics is a subject that is vital for gaining a better perspective on events that occur
in the natural world. A keen aptitude for math improves critical thinking and promotes problem-
solving abilities. Learning math sure makes us smart and adept at solving tricky situations. From
tacking brain-teasers and jigsaws to the more complex crises, the application of basic laws of
math and geometry are many. Not only does math provide a strong basis for resolving everyday
issues, it undoubtedly helps handle situations with a positive approach.

References
Candice M. Quinn, D. K. (2019, april 3). Music as math waves: exploring trigonometry through
sound. Retrieved from
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17513472.2018.1552822?
journalCode=tmaa20

Christersson, M. (n.d.). Music. Retrieved from Marlin Math :

http://www.malinc.se/math/trigonometry/musicen.php

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how is trigonometry used in music. (2017, september 15). Retrieved from our past time:
https://ourpastimes.com/how-is-trigonometry-used-in-music-12173241.html

Long, M. (2018, sept 9). trigonometry and music. Retrieved from prezi:
https://prezi.com/dvywvaiotn1y/music-trigonometry/

miaz. (2011, feb 26). applicatios of mathematics in our daily life. Retrieved from scribd:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/49595752/APPLICATIONS-OF-MATHEMATICS-IN-OUR-
DAILY-LIFE

trigonometry. (n.d.). Retrieved from math worksheets center:

http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathtips/trigonometry.html