Who invented trigonometry?

Question

I´m curious to know how it started. Thanks!

Shriya Sharma · Answer

In summary, while the basic principles of trigonometry have roots in many ancient civilizations, it evolved over time through the contributions of Greek, Indian, Islamic, and later European mathematicians.

Henry Ogaga Aghwaritefe · Answer

Hipparchus of Nicaea (c. 190–120 BCE): Hipparchus was the first to construct a table of values for a trigonometric function.

Umar Iqbal · Answer

Hipparchus of Nicaea

Esika Arifin Rumky · Answer

Trigonometry, the branch of mathematics dealing with the relationships between angles and sides of triangles, has roots in ancient civilizations, primarily in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. However, it was the ancient Greek mathematician Hipparchus of Nicaea (circa 190–120 BCE) who is often credited as the “father of trigonometry.”

Hipparchus created the first known trigonometric table, which helped to define the relationships between angles and lengths in circles. This laid the groundwork for the systematic study of trigonometry, although Indian and Islamic mathematicians further developed the field over the centuries, contributing functions and methods that shaped trigonometry as we know it today.

Bharath sai kumar Reddy Akkamma Gari · Answer

Trigonometry as a field of study was not "invented" by a single person. But it was developed over many centuries by many ancient cultures. The roots of trigonometry began with the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians. It uses basic geometric principles to study angles and astronomy.

The main contributors to trigonometry are:

1. **Hipparchus (ca. 190–120 BC)**: Often called the The "Father of Trigonometry" Greek astronomer Hipparchus is credited with creating the first known trigonometric tables. This is the angle that calculates the length of a star in a circle. For various reasons, this table helped early astronomers solve problems in spherical geometry and astronomy.

20. This helped develop both astronomy and trigonometry.

3. **Indian Mathematicians (5th-12th Centuries BC)**: Mathematicians like Aryabhata and Bhaskar developed the sine-cosine function as we know it today. They work directly with trigonometric functions rather than using wires. This makes the calculations more straightforward.

4. **Islamic mathematician (9th-15th centuries)**: Al-Battani, Al-Khwarizmi and other scholars. Trigonometric tables and functions have been improved and expanded. They helped develop concepts such as tangent, cotangent, disconnector, and cosecant to add value to the field.

Trigonometry has thus been developed jointly across many cultures and centuries. Each group added new insights and methods. In solving angular and astronomical problems...

Mohammed Sheikh · Answer

Why do you care? Do you understand tri-gono-metry?

Zulqarnain Shah · Answer

Hipparchus

Mian Jawad Arif · Answer

Trigonometry in the modern sense began with the Greeks. Hipparchus (c. 190–120 bce) was the first to construct a table of values for a trigonometric function.

Farva Ansar · Answer

Trigonometry is discovered by an ancient greek mathematician Hipparchus in the century BC.
The three most important mathematicians involved in devising Greek trigonometry are Hipparchus, Menelaus, and Ptolemy.
Hipparchus discovered the table of values of the trigonometric ratios.
Ptolemy discovered the table

Gurinderjeet Kaur · Answer

Hey Lucy! Trigonometry has a fascinating history that goes back thousands of years. It wasn't really 'invented' by just one person, but rather developed over time by different civilizations. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used basic trigonometric ideas for astronomy and building structures. However, the Greeks, especially a mathematician named Hipparchus around 150 BCE, are often credited with making big advances in trigonometry. Hipparchus created one of the first known trigonometric tables, which helped calculate angles and distances in the sky. Later, scholars from India and the Islamic world refined and expanded on these ideas, shaping trigonometry into what we know today.

If you're interested in learning more about the history of math or need help with trigonometry, feel free to reach out or book a session with me!

Pius Adigwe · Answer

Trigonometry wasn't invested by one person but a group of intelligent people generations of civilization.

Faro · Answer

Trigonometry, the study of the relationships between angles and sides of triangles, has roots that go back thousands of years. However, the person often credited with founding trigonometry is Hipparchus of Nicaea. He lived around 190-120 BC and is known for compiling the first trigonometric table12. This work laid the foundation for future developments in the field.

Muhammad Yousaf · Answer

Trigonometry is about the Trigonometric ratios and the different relationships. Trigonometry has very old history from Greeks to modern days. Euler had significant contributions in Trigonometry

David Arrowsmith · Answer

The first trigonometric table was compiled by Hipparchus of Nicaea (180 – 125 BC), he is known as "the father of trigonometry." Hipparchus was the first to tabulate the corresponding values of arc and chord for a series of angles.
Trigonometry involves the use of differential equations, linear algebra, in addition to discrete math / propositional logic and matrices. The legendary scientist Albert Einstein would have had to have a superb grasp of algebra and trigonometry to be able to work through many of his theories which we know so well today.

Shamim Khaliq · Answer

The invention of trigonometry is attributed to ancient Greek and Indian mathematicians, with key contributions from Hipparchus of Nicaea, Ptolemy, and Aryabhata.

1. Hipparchus of Nicaea (c. 190–120 BCE)
Known as the "father of trigonometry," Hipparchus was a Greek astronomer and mathematician who created the first known trigonometric table, primarily for calculating distances between stars. He used a system based on chords (which can be thought of as an early form of the sine function).
Hipparchus’s work in trigonometry helped lay the groundwork for astronomical calculations, using angles and chords as tools to measure celestial distances.
Source: Katz, V. J. (1998). A History of Mathematics: An Introduction. Addison-Wesley.

2. Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100–170 CE)
Ptolemy, a Greek-Egyptian mathematician and astronomer, expanded on Hipparchus’s work in his treatise, the Almagest. He developed more sophisticated trigonometric tables and introduced methods for solving spherical trigonometry problems, which are essential for astronomical observations.
Ptolemy’s work was instrumental in creating a more comprehensive trigonometric system, and he used a system of chords to derive what we would recognize today as trigonometric identities.
Source: Toomer, G. J. (1984). Ptolemy’s Almagest. Princeton University Press.

3. Indian Mathematicians (c. 500 CE)
Indian scholars, particularly Aryabhata (476–550 CE) and later Brahmagupta (598–668 CE), made significant advances in trigonometry. Aryabhata used the sine function (called “ardha-jya” or "half-chord"), a concept that would later be translated and developed in Islamic and European mathematics.
Aryabhata is credited with introducing the sine function to replace the Greek chord system, simplifying trigonometric calculations and establishing formulas that would become foundational in trigonometry.
Source: Katz, V. J., & Michel, M. (1998). History of Mathematics: Brief Version. Pearson.

Summary
While Hipparchus is often considered the father of trigonometry, the development of trigonometry was a cumulative process that involved Greek, Egyptian, and Indian mathematicians. Each of these mathematicians made crucial contributions that shaped trigonometry as we know it today, setting a foundation for later developments in the Islamic Golden Age and Renaissance Europe.

Laiba Asif · Answer

The mathematician Hipparchus is often credited as the inventor of trigonometry

Chaitali Jain · Answer

Trigonometry is discovered by an ancient greek mathematician Hipparchus in the 
century BC.
The three most important mathematicians involved in devising Greek trigonometry are Hipparchus, Menelaus, and Ptolemy.

Hipparchus discovered the table of values of the trigonometric ratios.
Ptolemy discovered the table of arcs.
Menelaus discovered theorems for spherical trigonometry.

Ernest Kasinja · Answer

Trigonometry was invented by Hipparchus of Nicaea who is now consequently known as "The father of trigonometry." Trigonometry is a branch of Mathematics which deals with the relationships between sides and angles of a triangle.

Rina · Answer

Greek astronomer Hipparchus invented Trigonometry.

Zainab zafar Zafar iqbal · Answer

Trigonometry, as a mathematical discipline, developed over centuries and cannot be attributed to a single inventor. Its origins can be traced back to ancient civilizations:

1. **Babylonians and Egyptians**: Around 2000 BCE, they used early forms of trigonometric concepts for astronomical calculations, though they did not have a formal system.

2. **Ancient Greeks**: The Greeks significantly advanced trigonometry. Figures like Hipparchus (c. 190–120 BCE) and Ptolemy (c. 100–170 CE) created the first trigonometric tables and linked it to geometry.

3. **Indian Mathematicians**: Around the 5th century CE, Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta contributed to trigonometric concepts and developed sine and cosine functions.

4. **Islamic Golden Age**: Scholars in the Islamic world (8th to 14th centuries) further developed trigonometry, producing more comprehensive tables and introducing terms for angles and side ratios.

The term "trigonometry" itself comes from the Greek words "trigonon" (triangle) and "metron" (measure), reflecting its focus on the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. Overall, trigonometry is a collective achievement of various cultures and mathematicians throughout history.

Walaa · Answer

The word trigonometry can actually be broken down into 'triangle' and 'geometry' — tri (three) + gon (angles) + metry (measurement). So, trigonometry is literally the geometry of triangles! 
As we know it today, Trigonometry has roots that go back thousands of years, and it evolved over time through contributions from several ancient civilizations. Ancient Greek mathematicians like Hipparchus (often called the 'father of trigonometry') and Ptolemy made major contributions by creating early trigonometric tables and studying the relationships between angles and lengths. Indian and Islamic scholars, such as Aryabhata and Al-Biruni, also made important advancements, refining and expanding the concepts.
Trigonometry is fascinating because it lets us work with just one equation and two variables to explore complex relationships, which has many applications in engineering, physics, astronomy, and even sound and light analysis.
So, while there isn't a single 'inventor' of trigonometry, many mathematicians across different cultures helped build it into the powerful tool it is today

Tayyaba Begum · Answer

Hipparcus

Giorgio Zacheo · Answer

Hey Lucy,
Great question! Trigonometry might feel like it’s been around forever, but it was actually developed over time by several brilliant minds. The ancient Greeks were among the first to make major strides in trigonometry, with a mathematician named Hipparchus often credited as the “father of trigonometry.” He used it to map the stars and track the movement of planets! Later on, Indian mathematicians like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta refined the concepts, and it was eventually developed further by Islamic scholars during the Middle Ages.

Trigonometry is like a cosmic tool that helps us understand the world around us—from the angles in triangles to the waves in the ocean. It’s awesome how something that started in the ancient world is still so relevant today. And the cool part is, once you dive into trigonometry, you’ll start seeing how these ideas still shape everything from navigation to technology. Pretty neat, right?

Charlotte Morley · Answer

Hipparchus of Nicaea, he was the first to record the corresponding arc and length values for triangles

HoWang Lam · Answer

Trigonometry evolved through contributions from many cultures over time, with key advancements by Hipparchus, Ptolemy, and Indian and Islamic scholars.

Agape Kelvin Beltrand · Answer

Trigonometry the branch concerned with the relationship of angles and the side lengths of triangle.
In 140 BC , Hipparchus from Nicaea (Asia minor) generated the first table of chords(table of sine values) used to solve problems in trigonometry and spherical trigonometry.
So Hipparchus is considered as the father of trigonometry because he provided the first significant element to trigonometry.

Parul Yadav · Answer

Hipparchus of Nicaea

Zain Ul Abdin · Answer

Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians: They used basic trigonometric concepts in their astronomy and land surveying practices around 2000 BCE.
Greek Mathematicians: Figures like Hipparchus (c. 190–120 BCE) and Ptolemy (c. 100–170 CE) developed early trigonometric tables and theories, laying the groundwork for later advances.
Indian Mathematicians: In the 5th century, mathematicians like Aryabhata and Brahmagupta expanded trigonometry, introducing the sine function.
Islamic Golden Age: Scholars like Al-Battani and Al-Khwarizmi further advanced trigonometry, creating more accurate tables and expanding its applications in astronomy.

Lakshmi Prasanna · Answer

Hipparchus invented trigonometry

Charlie · Answer

pythagoreous this is why the main theory is named pythagorous therorem

Estera Kolinska · Answer

Trigonometry evolved through contributions from various cultures, starting with ancient Egyptians and Babylonians. The Greeks, particularly Hipparchus, formalized its study, while Indian mathematicians introduced sine and cosine functions. Islamic scholars later expanded on these foundations, leading to the trigonometry we know today.

Samirah hussain Hussain · Answer

Hipparchus of Nicaea

Tafara Paul Mutamba · Answer

The greek mathematician Hipparchus is known as the creator of trigonometry. He has used it to study and understand the movements of celestial bodies such as the moon and the sun :)

Joe Lenton · Answer

i beleive trigonometory dates back to around 200bc, discovered by the greek hipparchus,

John Paul · Answer

It's difficult to pinpoint a single inventor of trigonometry, as its development was a gradual process spanning centuries and involving contributions from various civilizations.
 
However, here are some key figures and civilizations who played significant roles in its evolution:
 
- Ancient Babylonians (1800-1600 BC): They developed sophisticated methods for calculating angles and distances, including the use of tables of trigonometric ratios.
- Ancient Egyptians (1600-300 BC): They also used geometry and trigonometry for surveying and building pyramids.
- Ancient Greeks (300 BC - 300 AD):
 
- Hipparchus (c. 190-120 BC): Considered the "father of trigonometry," he created the first trigonometric table, which related angles to chord lengths in a circle.
- Ptolemy (c. 100-170 AD):  He further developed trigonometry in his book "Almagest," which included a table of chords and formulas for calculating angles and distances.
- Indian Mathematicians (400-1200 AD):
 
- Aryabhata (476-550 AD): Developed formulas for calculating sine and cosine, and introduced the concept of "sine" as a half-chord.
- Brahmagupta (598-668 AD):  He further expanded on trigonometric formulas and introduced the concept of "versine" (1 - cosine).
- Medieval Islamic Mathematicians (800-1500 AD):
 
- Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c. 780-850 AD):  He introduced the concept of "tangent" and developed trigonometric tables.
- Abu al-Wafa' al-Buzjani (940-998 AD):  He developed formulas for calculating sine and cosine of multiple angles.
- European Mathematicians (1500-1800 AD):
 
- Regiomontanus (1436-1476): He published a comprehensive trigonometry book, "De Triangulis Omnimodis," which introduced modern trigonometric functions like sine, cosine, and tangent.
 
It's important to note that the development of trigonometry was a collaborative effort involving contributions from various cultures and civilizations.  Each civilization built upon the knowledge of those who came before them, leading to the sophisticated trigonometric system we use today.

Paul Moran · Answer

This is attributed to the Greek Hipparchus.  It includes various definitions that can define relations between two or more items.
An example would be the sin function; which relates to angles in (for example) planar triangles (in which the total of the three interior angles sums to 180 degrees).  In a right angle triangle, for any of the non-90 degree angles ; the sin of that angle equals the ratio  of the length of the opposite side over the hypoteneuse.
Similar functions such as cos, tan, sinh, cosh and arcsin enable unknown dimensions to be calculated from known dimensions and angles