Note: The information on this page is for the 6th edition of the textbook.
Click here for the 7th edition information or here for the 8th edition.

Table of Contents:

Topics
Study Guidelines

Topics

This unit consists of two parts. The first part finishes the study of trigonometric identities begun in Unit 5. In this section you will use the various trigonometric identities to help solve equations involving trigonometric functions.

The second part is a study of methods for solving general triangles, using the Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines. Included are many different applications, along with a short section on two new formulas for the area of a triangle.

• Finding exact and/or approximate solutions to trigonometric equations using an algebraic approach. (7.7-8)
• Finding approximate solutions of trigonometric equations using a graphical approach. (7.7-8)
• Solving triangles using the Law of Sines (8.2)
• Solving triangles using the Law of Cosines (8.3)
• Applications of the Laws of Sines and Cosines (8.2 & 8.3)
• Formulas for the area of a triangle (8.4)

Unit 6 will be followed by the Trigonometry Final Exam.

Study guidelines for the 6th edition of Sullivan's Algebra and Trigonometry

These reading and problem assignments are designed to help you learn the course material. You should complete all of these problems, check your answers in the back of the textbook, and get help with the problems that you missed. Most of the problems are odd-numbered, so you can check the solutions in the Solutions Manual.

The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics, so while these problems will not be collected or graded, you will probably not do well in the course if you do not complete these and check your work as described above.

• Section 8.7: Trigonometric Equations (I)
  • Reading: section 8.7
    Read and work through examples 1-6 and their matched problems.
  • Practice Problems: 8.7 #1-43 odd, 47
    
    
• Section 8.8: Trigonometric Equations (II)
  • Reading: section 8.8
    Read and work through examples 1-8 and their matched problems.
  • Practice Problems: 8.8 #1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 45, 49, 55, 57, 61
    
    
• Section 9.2: Law of Sines
  • Reading: section 9.2
    Read and work through examples 1-7 and their matched problems.
  • Try out the Law of Sines SSA applet. You can experiment with the construction to see how to get 0, 1, or 2 solutions in the SSA case.
  • Practice Problems: 9.2 #1, 3, 7, 9, 13-37 odd, 41, 43
    
    
• Section 9.3: Law of Cosines
  • Reading: section 9.3
    Read and work through examples 1-3 and their matched problems.
  • Practice Problems: 9.3 #1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25-39 odd
    
    
• Section 9.4: The Area of a Triangle
  • Reading: section 9.4
    Read and work through examples 1-2 and their matched problems.
  • Practice Problems: 9.4 #1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 13, 17, 21
    
    
• Supplementary material (optional):
  • Student Solutions Manual
  • Algebra Review booklet
  • CD lecture series (step-by-step video examples on CD)
    • Section numbering on the CD's corresponds to the 7th edition of the textbook. Use the section correlation guide to find the corresponding sections for the 6th edition.
  • Video lectures are available on reserve in the CR library.
    • Section numbering on the video lectures corresponds to the 6th edition of the textbook.
  • For tutoring help, visit the Prentice Hall Math Tutor Center. Tutors can be contacted by phone, fax, or e-mail. To register, you will need to first obtain an access code from me.
  • Graphing Calculator Help

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