Unit circle intuition

The  exercise appears under the Trigonometry Math Mission. This exercise introduces the unit circle and how it relates to the basic trig values.

Types of Problems
There are two types of problems in this exercise:


 * 1) Move the dot and find the cosine value: This problem has a circular manipulative. The student is asked to move the angle to a particular spot and give the value of the cosine at that point on the unit circle.Unciin1.png


 * 1) Move the dot and find the sine value: This problem has a circular manipulative. The student is asked to move the angle to a particular spot and give the value of the sine at that point on the unit circle.Unciin2.png

Strategies
Knowledge of the unit circle is encouraged to ensure success on this exercise.
 * 1) The angle should always be done correctly because it is labeled as the manipulative is moved.
 * 2) The cosine value is the x-coordinate of the point.
 * 3) The sine value is the y-coordinate of the point.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) The unit circle is like a "times table" for the trig values of bench mark angles.
 * 2) Almost all of trigonometry is embedded in the unit circle.
 * 3) Trigonometry has applications in physics for many different types of motion and acceleration.