The Trigonometry Machine

Congratulations on obtaining The Trig Machine, the most powerful, easiest to use triangle solver available. The proceeding is a demonstration of how to use it and some operating tips. Although the 82/83 version works the same as the 85/86 version they look very different. The pictures on the left are for the 82/83 version, the pictures on the right are for the 85/86 version.


This program was written by Kevin Selkowitz, you can e-mail me at ihselk@oasis.bellevue.k12.wa.us with bugs, ideas, raves, and if you have to you can rant.

Updates to this program and other top-notch software is available at http://oasis.bellevue.k12.wa.us/interlake/other/calcprog/index.htm
All my really good stuff is at the above page, I only release a few things to other archives.

Operating Instructions

When something is in [brackets] press the button that bears the word in the brackets.

After you start the program you will see a screen like the one at left 82/83 or right 85/86 (85/86 users must press [ENTER] to get past the splash screen). This screen is where you can input the side lengths. Press the button under "A", [ZOOM] for the 82/83 or [F3] on the 85/86.

It will prompt you for the value of side "A", press [3] then [ENTER]. It will show the previous screen again, next press the button under "C" and input 4 as the value of "C".

 

Now if you press the button under the word "SIDES" (Y= or F1) the screen will change to look like these. Here is where you can input the values of the angles. The Y=/F1 button toggles between the angle and side screens and the first square shows which screen you are on.

Make sure you are on the "ANGLES" screen and press the button under "B". Input 90 as the value for "Angle B".

 

 

Now the program will display the answers for the triangle. The 82/83 version asks you if you want to run the program again or quit. The 85/86 version stops automatically, if you want it to run again press [ENTER] otherwise press [CLEAR].


Operating Notes

To solve for a triangle The Trig Machine needs three pieces of information. If you don't think you have three pieces of information look to see if the triangle is a right triangle, right angles are 90 degree angles.

One or more of the pieces of information must be a side length. If you put in three angles nothing will happen.

There is a special case in trigonometry called the Angle-Side-Side (aka the donkey case) case, it is called this because you only know one angle and two sides. This is a special case because the there can be zero, one, or two answers. If there are zero answers the program will stop. If there is one answer the program will display like any other answer. If there are two answers the program will display one answer and wait. The 82/83 version will say "ANSWER 2" where it usually would say "RUN AGAIN" and when you press [Y1] it will display the second answer. The 85/86 version will pause and wait for you to press enter to continue.

If you accidentally press the wrong button and are prompted for a value that you don't know enter zero.

If you accidentally input an incorrect value you can go back and input it correctly.

These programs may be freely distributed as long as they are not modified. You may not distribute the programs for profit. You may not post these programs to your own site without expressed permission from Kevin Selkowitz. All rights reserved.

These programs are thoroughly tested before being posted, however The Bellevue School District, Interlake High School, The Interlake Web Team, nor the writers of the programs can be held in any way responsible for any problems that may occur.