Challenges and Strategies in Learning Trigonometry

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. It is a fundamental topic that forms the basis for advanced mathematics such as calculus and is essential for students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. However, learning Trigonometry can be challenging due to the interrelated concepts involved, including algebraic transformation skills and geometry knowledge.

One of the most common Trigonometry problems is calculating the unknown side of a right-angled triangle from a known side and an angle. These problems can be difficult for students, especially when the algebraic transformation skills required are not properly addressed in the learning process. For example, teaching students to swap the x with sin30° and then solve for x does not effectively address the algebraic transformation skills required to solve Trigonometry problems.

Trigonometry problems are analogous to linear equations with a fraction, and research has shown that it is more difficult to solve linear equations with a fraction, especially when the pronumeral is a denominator instead of a numerator. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that students may have difficulty distinguishing the difference between two types of Trigonometry problems, even though they are conceptually different due to the relative position of the pronumeral.

Despite the challenges associated with learning Trigonometry, there is a relative lack of research on effective teaching and learning strategies for this topic. However, studies have shown that students experienced great difficulty when they had to learn how to solve both types of sin30° = 8/x and cos60° = x/2. To address these challenges, researchers have compared different teaching methods, such as the unit circle method and the ratio method, with a focus on effectively teaching students to solve Trigonometry problems.

In conclusion, Trigonometry is a crucial topic in secondary mathematics curriculum, as it is prerequisite knowledge for learning Calculus and is essential for students pursuing STEM courses. However, the interrelated concepts involved in Trigonometry problems can make learning challenging for students. Effective teaching and learning strategies, such as addressing the algebraic transformation skills required to solve Trigonometry problems, are necessary to help students overcome these challenges.