Trigonometry

Trigonometry (from the Greek trigonon = three angles and metro = measure) is a branch of mathematics dealing with angles, triangles and trigonometric functions such as sine, cosine and tangent. It has some relationship to geometry, though there is disagreement on exactly what that relationship is; for some, trigonometry is just a subtopic of geometry.

Early history

The origins of trigonometry trace to the cultures of the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians and Indus Valley civilizations, over 3000 years ago. Indian mathematicians were the pioneers of variable computations algebra for use in astronomical calculations along with trigonometry. Lagadha is the only known mathematician today to have used geometry and trigonometry for astronomy in his book Vedanga Jyotisha, much of whose works were destroyed by foreign invaders of India.

Related Topics:
Egyptians - Babylonians - Indus Valley - Algebra - Lagadha

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Greek mathematician Hipparchus circa 150 BC compiled a trigonometric table for solving triangles.

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Another Greek mathematician, Ptolemy circa 100 AD further developed trigonometric calculations.

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The Silesian mathematician Bartholemaeus Pitiscus published an influential work on trigonometry in 1595 and introduced the word to the English and French languages.

Related Topics:
Silesian - Bartholemaeus Pitiscus - 1595

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