Trigonometric section: Trigonometry found in the physical world around us
Performance Assessment
Specific learner outcome:
 Sketch with or without technology, the graph of y=sin x, y=cos x or y=tan x
 Determine the characteristics of the graph of y=sin x, y=cos x or y=tan x.
 Determine a trigonometric function that models a situation to solve a problem.
Performance Objectives: Students will determine characteristics and graphical
representations of trigonometric functions, create a physical model and determine a
trigonometric function of that model, and solve the models trigonometric characteristics.
Rationale explaining alignment between curriculum, instruction, and performance
assessment:
The research students complete will be an introduction to trigonometric functions,
graphical representations, and properties. Learned properties and graphical
representations of trigonometric functions will be used to analyze and determine the
properties of model created by a student. The student must justify why a chosen
trigonometric function was used to solve the models' properties. Rationale for
engagement and authenticity: The assignment will allow students to use house hold items
to create mathematical models of various trigonometric functions. The generation of the
trigonometric functions will give the students greater insight into the mathematical
phenomena and concrete examples that surround the students in their everyday
environment. The student generated models should be varied and expand the students
perspective of trigonometric possibilities around them.
Your assignment is to investigate the properties and graphical representations of
trigonometric functions (restricted to sin x, cos x , and tan x), create a model of a
trigonometric function using items from your physical environment, analysis your model
using know trigonometric functions, and identify applications of trigonometric functions in
industry. The properties will be:
• amplitude
• asymptotes
• domain
• period
• range
• zeros
The model you create must be a dynamic reproduction of a trigonometric function (sin x ,
cos x,or tan x) and you must justify why you decided to use this trigonometric function to
represent your physical model. Your physical model will be accompanied with a static
display of your trigonometric properties of each function (sin x, cos x, and tan x) and
associated graphs for each function. Attached to your static display will also list three
industrial applications of trigonometric functions.
You have to choose one trigonometric function to analyse your model. Additional
trigonometric functions maybe done, but no bonus marks will be awarded.
Finally, do not forget to include bibliography with:
• You can use any number of sources (example, 1 to 10)
Excellent
(20)
Amount of
information
Good (15)
Fair (10)
Needs
Improvement
(5)
One or more
topics were
not
addressed.
All topics are
All topics are
All topics are
addressed
addressed
addressed,
and all
and most
and most
questions
questions
questions
answered
answered
answered
with at least 2 with at least 2
with 1
sentences
sentences
sentence
about each.
about each.
about each.
Quality of
Information
Information
Information
Information
information clearly relates clearly relates clearly relates
has little or
to the main
to the main
to the main
nothing to do
topic. It
topic. It
topic. No
with the main
includes
provides 1-2 details and/or
topic.
several
supporting
examples are
supporting
details and/or
given.
details and/or
examples.
examples.
Diagrams & Diagrams and Diagrams and Diagrams and Diagrams and
Illustrations
illustrations
illustrations
illustrations
illustrations
are neat,
are accurate
are neat and
are not
accurate and
and add to
accurate and
accurate OR
add to the
the reader's
sometimes
do not add to
reader's
understanding
add to the
the reader's
understanding of the topic.
reader's
understanding
of the topic.
understanding of the topic.
of the topic.
Notes
Notes are
Notes are
Notes are
Notes are
recorded and
recorded
recorded.
recorded only
organized in
legibly and
with
an extremely are somewhat
peer/teacher
neat and
organized.
assistance
orderly
and
fashion.
reminders.
Sources
All sources
All sources
All sources
Some
(information
(information
(information
sources are
and graphics) and graphics) and graphics) not accurately
are accurately are accurately are accurately documented.
documented
documented, documented,
in the desired but a few are but many are
format.
not in the
not in the
desired
desired
format.
format.
Score