Trig Terms
Trig Terms
(OP)
Has anybody got a good explanation where the trig terms tangent and secant came from. Are they Arabic in origin?
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RE: Trig Terms
secant - Latin secare - to cut
That's what Chambers 20th C says, anyway
Euler pretty much nailed modern trig terminology in 1748. And you don't argue with Euler.
Here's a great diagram, showing why they are named that way
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and here's wiki's take on history
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Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Trig Terms
As an anecdote:
One day a proof questions the pupil. What is a "tangente"?
The pupil answered."Tangente" is when somebody knocks at the W.C. door and the one who is inside answers "there are people inside...
CHEERS
LUIS
RE: Trig Terms
The tan gent knocked on the door and demanded, "I need to speak with Michelle right now! Send her out!."
Voice from the inside: "Se cant, monsier, Se is not dressed yet!"
RE: Trig Terms
Thanks, I looked in my Oxford English Dictionary, but didn't think of the Wiki.
RE: Trig Terms
Fantastic! The Wiki is a source of the most amazing facts. I had a faint idea about the history of trigonometry - very faint, compared to what you read in the Wiki articles. Thanks for pointing to it. Did you write it yourself?
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
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100 % recycled posting: Electrons, ideas, finger-tips have been used over and over again...
RE: Trig Terms
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.