High school Trigonometry classes introduce students to various trigonometric identities, properties, and functions in detail. Students typically take Trigonometry after completing previous coursework in Algebra and Geometry, but before taking Pre-Calculus and Calculus. Information students learn in Trigonometry helps them succeed in later higher-level mathematics courses, as well as in science courses like Physics, where trigonometric functions are used to model certain physical phenomena.

Like Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II classes, Trigonometry classes focus on functions and graphs. Trigonometry in particular investigates trigonometric functions, and in the process teaches students how to graph sine, cosine, secant, cosecant, tangent, cotangent, arcsin, arccos, and arctan functions, as well as how to perform phase shifts and calculate their periods and amplitudes. Trigonometric operations are also discussed, and students also learn about trigonometric equations, including how to understand, set up, and factor trig equations, how to solve individual trigonometric equations, as well as systems of trigonometric equations, how to find trig roots, and how to use the quadratic formula on trigonometric equations.

Trigonometric identities are also discussed in Trigonometry classes; students learn about the sum and product identities, as well as identities of inverse operations, squared trigonometric functions, halved angles, and doubled angles. Students also learn to work with identities with angle sums, complementary and supplementary identities, pythagorean identities, and basic and definitional identities.

Another major part of Trigonometry is learning to analyze specific kinds of special triangles. Students learn to determine angles and side lengths in 30-60-90 and 45-45-90 right triangles using the law of sines and the law of cosines, as well as how to identify similar triangles and determine proportions using proportionality.

Trigonometry also teaches students about the unit circles and radians, focusing on how to convert degrees into radians and vice versa. Complementary, supplementary, and coterminal angles are all discussed. This focus on angles in the unit circle is also applied to the coordinate plane when angles in different quadrants are examined.

As may now be apparent, many students find themselves very apprehensive about taking, and keeping up with, a Trigonometry course. Resources like Varsity Tutors’ free Trigonometry Practice Tests can help them channel any nervousness they feel about the course into a process of active review that will benefit them. Each Trigonometry Practice Test features a dozen multiple-choice Trigonometry questions, and each question comes with a full step-by-step explanation to help students who miss it learn the concepts being tested. Questions are organized in Practice Tests, which draw from various topics taught in Trigonometry; questions are also organized by concept. So, if a student wants to focus on only answering questions about using the law of sines, questions organized by concept makes this possible. Using Varsity Tutors’ free Trigonometry Practice Tests, students can practice material they find difficult and reduce apprehension they may feel about Trigonometry.