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Applications of Trigonometry in Real Life

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Trigonometry In Class

Trigonometry is the science of making calculations with triangles. It is used to measure the sides, lengths, heights and angles of triangles.

It was first endorsed in the 3rd century to facilitate astronomical purposes including navigation and the creating calendars. Even today, Trigonometry plays a vital role in calculating distance between celestial bodies.

Often in school when you’re troubled with the trigonometry problems, you ask yourself, “Will I ever use Trigonometry in real life?” Well, we may not use Trigonometry directly, but it does benefit us in other ways.

Trigonometry finds its applications in various important fields that make our life easier. 

We have prepared a list of Applications of Trigonometry in Everyday Life just to answer your question:

  1. Music
  2. Video Games
  3. Architecture
  4. Navigation
  5. Marine Biology
  6. Manufacturing Industry
  7. Flight Engineering
  8. Physics
  9. Criminology
  10. Archeologists
  11. Marine Engineering 

Trigonometry and Music

Do you enjoy listening to music? Your answer is probably yes. You have Trigonometry to thank for it! Trigonometry plays a vital role in the production of music. It is used in measuring the pitch of sound waves to create the musical notes.  

Sound engineers utilize the basics of trigonometry in order to represent music through the computer. The computer uses graphical representation of music in order to develop and understand it. 

Trigonometry also plays a key role in the placement of the speakers. The sound engineers utilize trigonometry to control the volume and pitch of sounds as they have a great impact on the quality of music.

Trigonometry and Video Games

men playing video games

Who doesn’t love playing video games? Most of us spent our childhood playing video games like Mario, Sonic, Pac-Man, Snow Bros, etc. Have you ever wondered how your favorite video game superhero jumps, runs or kicks? 

Take a guess!

*Drum rolls* Correct! It is through trigonometry. 

All your favorite video games are created by utilizing the basics of trigonometry as they are created on the computer. Hence, game developers are highly dependent on trigonometry. 

Trigonometry and Architecture

We’re no magicians but we’re assuming that you live in a house or an apartment. We got it right, didn’t we?

Did you know that architects use trigonometry to design and create buildings? Trigonometry is essential in constructing houses and buildings.

Here’s why:

  • Trigonometry helps architects create walls perpendicular or parallel.
  • It is used to measure plot or area.
  • It is used to install tiles. 
  • It is also used to calculate the roof pitch and slope.
  • Trigonometry also helps in calculating the structural load.
  • It is used to calculate sun shading.
  • It is also essential in calculating the light angles.

Trigonometry and Navigation

Trigonometry sets you in the right direction!

No, seriously.

Trigonometry plays an important role in navigation. It is used to point you in the right direction. Compass utilizes the rules of trigonometry to show us the right direction. Trigonometry helps us locate the horizon. It also helps us measure the distance between the shore and a point in the sea.

Trigonometry and Marine Biology

scuba diver in the sea

Marine Biologists employ trigonometry to make measurements under sea.

Trigonometry helps Marine Biologists:

  • It helps them find out how the sunlight affects the ability of algae to photosynthesize at different levels of depth under sea.
  • Trigonometry is essential for marine biologists in order to calculate the sizes of sea animals from a far.
  •  Marine biologists employ trigonometry to observe and understand the behaviors and characteristics of different wild sea animals.

Trigonometry and Manufacturing Industry

Trigonometry plays an essential role in the manufacturing industries like:

  • Automotive Industry
  • Clothing Industry 
  • Aviation Industry
  • Cartography Industry
  • Construction Industry

The basics of trigonometry are used in producing heavy vehicles or automobiles to kitchenware. Automotive industries rely on the rules of trigonometry to measure the angles and sizes of the parts used in the manufacture of the vehicles and machinery.

Basic trigonometry skills are also used by smaller industries like clothing industries to design and measure the lengths of cloth.

Trigonometry and Flight Engineering

Trigonometry is an essential component in Flight Engineering. Flight Engineers are required to pay more attention to trigonometric basics in order to measure the effects of wind on the plane.

Wind determines the course of your plane and the speed at which the plane will arrive at its destination. Hence, flight engineers have to take care of the speed, direction and intensity of the wind along with the speed, distance and direction of their plane.

Trigonometry and Physics

Physics is heavily dependent on trigonometry for its calculations and measurements.

Physics utilizes the rules of trigonometry:

  • To model the mechanics of oscillations.
  • To design the mechanics of physical and electromagnetic waves.
  • To find the components of vectors.
  • To utilize dot and cross products.
  • To calculate the strength of fields.
  • In projectile motion as well.

Trigonometry and Criminology

Did you know that trigonometry also helps us catch criminals? Trigonometry even finds its applications in a field as exciting as Criminology. Detectives and criminologists utilize trigonometric principles to uncover criminal activities.

Criminologists employ trigonometry in order to:

  • Calculate the distance from where the bullet must have been shot.
  • Detect what must have caused a car accident.
  • To calculate the intensity of the collision of two cars.
  • Calculate the height of a fallen object.
  • Calculate the angle of criminal attack.

Trigonometry and Archeologists

hands and trigonometry notes

Could you believe that trigonometric principles helped us discover dinosaurs? Trigonometry is employed to divide the excavation sites into equal parts. Archeologists use excavation tools which require some understanding of trigonometric principles.

Archaeologists also utilize the rules of trigonometry to calculate the underground water levels.

Trigonometry and Marine Engineering

Marine Engineers utilize the principles of trigonometry to create and navigate marine vessels such as the Marine ramp. A marine ramp is a slope or a staircase that connects the lower and higher levels of areas.

Well that’s a wrap on our list of applications of trigonometry in real life. Did your perception of trigonometry change after learning all these cool facts? Do you have anything cooler to add?

Let us know in the comments!

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Austin has 10+ years of experience in teaching. He has researched on thousands of students-related topics, issues, and concerns. You will often find him writing about the common concerns of students, their nutrition, and what is beneficial for their academics and health both.