Trigonometry Word Search
Find 20 trigonometry terms in the grid — sine, cosine, amplitude, and more. Each found word reveals a detailed encyclopedic definition.
How to Play
- Click and drag (or tap and swipe on mobile) to highlight a word in the grid.
- Words are hidden horizontally, vertically, and diagonally — in any of 8 directions.
- Check the word list on the right to see which terms remain.
- Finding a word unlocks its encyclopedic definition in a popup.
- Click Reveal to show a word's location (−50 pts penalty).
- Complete all words before the timer runs out for a time bonus!
Placing trigonometry terms in the grid…
Trigonometry: The Mathematics of Angles and Waves
Trigonometry connects angles in triangles to ratios of sides, then extends those ratios to model any periodic phenomenon. From sound waves to electrical signals to planetary orbits, trigonometric functions describe the universe's oscillating nature.
Sine and Cosine
The two foundational trigonometric functions. In a right triangle, sine = opposite/hypotenuse and cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse. On the unit circle, they give the y and x coordinates of any angle.
Pythagorean Identity
sin²θ + cos²θ = 1 — the most important trigonometric identity. It follows directly from the Pythagorean theorem applied to the unit circle and underlies hundreds of other identities.
Amplitude and Period
Amplitude measures a wave's height (maximum displacement from center); period measures the length of one complete cycle. Together with phase shift, they completely describe any sinusoidal wave.
Radian
The natural angle unit for calculus: 2π radians = 360°. Arc length = rθ and area of sector = r²θ/2 only work with radians. All programming math libraries use radians by default.
Inverse Functions
Arcsin, arccos, and arctan reverse the trig functions — they find the angle given a ratio. Used whenever a direction or angle must be computed from measured distances.
Law of Sines and Cosines
Rules for solving any triangle, not just right triangles. Essential for surveying, navigation, GPS triangulation, and any problem involving distances and angles without a right angle.