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Mollweide's formula in teaching trigonometry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Trigonometry is one of the topics inmathematics that the students in both high school and pre-undergraduate levels need to learn. Generally, the topic covers trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, trigonometric identities and solving oblique triangles using the Laws of Sines and Cosines. However, when solving the oblique triangles, Mollweide's formula is most likely to be omitted from the discussion. Mollweide's formulaçwhich exhibits a cyclical natureçis particularly useful in checking one's result after solving an oblique triangle since all six components of the triangle are involved. It is interesting to note that proving Mollweide's formula can be performed without words. Furthermore, the Law of Tangents can be derived straightforwardly from this equation. In this article, we revisit Mollweide's formula and provide classroom examples where this equation comes into alive. In addition, we suggest that this seemingly less-known equation is to be included in themathematics syllabus on the topic of Trigonometry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)70-74
Number of pages5
JournalTeaching Mathematics and its Applications
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2011

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