plane trigonometry
Quick Summary
Plane trigonometry is a branch of mathematics focused on calculating unknown angles and distances within plane triangles. It utilizes six trigonometric functions: sine (sin), cosine (cos), tangent (tan), cotangent (cot), secant (sec), and cosecant (csc). These functions relate the angles of a right triangle to the ratios of its sides.1
Plane trigonometry is used to solve triangles when some sides and angles are known, employing the law of sines and the law of cosines. This field developed from the needs of astronomy, mapmaking, and surveying.21
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