Why do we convert degrees to radians in trigonometry?

tommyt_

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12 years ago

Why do we convert degrees to radians in trigonometry?

I'm not asking you HOW to convert.. I'm just wondering WHY we do it, but thanks for the answer. Slight Smile

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illestchemist

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12 years ago

If you're suggesting a measurement is a measurement, you'll get no argument from me. With that said, there are applications where radians are simpler to work with. For example, in the MacLaurin series for the various trig functions, the variable is measured in radians. Take the cosine function, for instance:

cos(x) = 1 - x^2/2 + x^4/4! - x^6/6! + x^8^8! - .... <<< x in this equation is in radians

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cocaccro

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12 years ago

This is no official answer but, for me, I really enjoy working with radians. After doing several years of calculus I've become intimately familiar with the unit circle and really appreciate being able to see angles as relative to a circle. It all ties together with the (x,y) coordinates and sin being the y, cos being the x, and tan being sin/cos, i.e. y/x. Just makes it simpler! Once you can remember the different benchmarks (e.g. 2pi/3), it is so much fun Smiling Face with Open Mouth

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duddy

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