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Trigonometry Redefined without Sines And Cosines
Spy der Mann writes "Dr. Norman Wildberger, of the South Wales University, has redefined trigonometry without the use of sines, cosines, or tangents. In his book about Rational Trigonometry (sample PDF chapter), he explains that by replacing distance and angles with new concepts: quadrance, and spread, one can express trigonometric problems with simple algebra and fractional numbers. Is this the beginning of a new era for math?"
Been there, done that - it's called Laplacian Transforms.
Mark Edwards
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Proof of Sanity Forged Upon Request
Things that you don't actually need in the real world:
Trigonometry
Calculus
Physics
Biology
History
Geography
Square roots
Imaginary numbers
Graphs
IT
Foreign languages
Algebra
Things like that should be taught at university to people who actually want to learn them, not school.
I've never used any of those things outside of school, ever.
Good point, but the people in those professions can save time and $ by simply buying a device to do any of those calculations for them. The only person who then needs to "know the math" is the one who builds the device.
Actually, in the grandpartents electric bill example, those who study electricity use trig.
THE KEY here is that high school forces you to study several things, whether you like it or not. This is how you find out what you enjoy, and what skills you enjoy using. If trig wasn't required, not enough students would want to take it, thus it wouldn't even be offered. When a school offers a course, the interest is either there, or it is forced.
But if you think simplification is a Good Thing, let's see the US *finally* go metric.
It's hilarious - look at Europe with dozens of little legal systems, languages, political fiefdoms and no constitution and two world wars but goddammit WE ARE BETTER BECAUSE WE ARE METRIC.
Which would you rather have? A relatively unified nation and language or the metric system? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Yes... it's no secret that mathematics is just a way for people with too much time on their hands to achieve a false sense of superiority.