Hipparchus

Hipparchus was a renowned mathematician and astronomer who lived in ancient Greece around the 2nd century BC. He is often referred to as the 'father of trigonometry' due to his significant contributions to the field.

Hipparchus is best known for his work on developing trigonometry as a mathematical discipline, particularly in relation to the study of triangles and angles. He created the first trigonometric table, which listed the values of trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine. This table was instrumental in solving problems related to astronomy and navigation.

Hipparchus is credited with compiling the first trigonometric table and has been described as "the father of trigonometry". One of Hipparchus' most influential achievements was his development of the theory of epicycles to explain the motion of celestial bodies. This theory proposed that planets move in small circles (epicycles) as they orbit a larger circle (deferent). While this theory was later replaced by the heliocentric model, it was a significant advancement in understanding planetary motion at the time.

For students, understanding the basic concepts of trigonometry and how it relates to angles and triangles can provide a glimpse into the work of Hipparchus. Studying the relationships between side lengths and angles in triangles, as well as exploring trigonometric functions like sine, cosine, and tangent, can help students appreciate the foundational work done by mathematicians like Hipparchus in shaping modern mathematics."

CC BY-SA 3.0 D Thurston

Appreciate the work of Hipparchus by trying some of the maths that this mathematician is known for.

There is an activity called Trigonometry that you could try right now. Sine, cosine and tangent ratios are used to find sides and angles in right-angled triangles.

So there's no better time than the present to learn some mathematics from the past: let's Go!

Transum has many activities for the topic 'Trigonometry' and recommends you try some of them.

Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today: let's Go!