Trigonometric functions are inherently tricky to deal with. There are so many identities and equivalent forms, students are often paralyzed before they start. Our Tutor screens are student-friendly and skillfully guide them through this trigonometric maze.

Sample Problem #1

In the following problem, the student must recognize that the parity (odd or even) of an exponent is the key to determining which trigonometric identity is most useful in rewriting the integral in a form that is more easily evaluated.

Step-by-Step

If students want to try answering the problem, but they do not know where to start, they have access to Step-by-Step. Step-by-Step provides a step-by-step breakdown of the problem, walking the student through the problem in manageable pieces. While it provides plenty of guidance, the Step-by-Step portion does ask the student to input the results of each step so they are learning as they go.

The first step immediately directs the student to the appropriate identity. Although there are other choices for the student, this is the identity which immediately transforms the integrand in such a way that the next substitution becomes apparent.

In Step 2, the student is prompted to make an appropriate substitution to obtain an easier integral to evaluate. Even though the substitution might be obvious for some, the student is not left to guessing because of this prompt.

In Step 3, the student is prompted to rewrite the integrand in terms of the new variable u. Note how the expression’s appearance is greatly simplified.

In Step 4, the student is asked to evaluate the new integral in terms of u, being guided through the intermediate algebraic manipulations.

In Step 5, the student is prompted to write the final answer in terms of the original variable. Students often forget to do this final step and leave the answer in terms of u, feeling that after they have taken the antiderivative, they are finished.

---

Sample Problem #2

This sample shows a question where students are dealing with trigonometric functions other than the more familiar sine and cosine.

Explain Error

Another helpful learning aid provided in Hawkes’ courseware is Explain Error, which gives students precise feedback from the system’s artificial intelligence. It anticipates and
diagnoses specific errors, stopping students in their tracks and showing them not only that their answer is incorrect, but why it is incorrect.

The identity necessary to this solution has a subtle but important difference from the one used in Sample 1. In Sample 1, we needed to use sin²x = 1 – cos²x but the identity needed for Sample 2 is tan²x = sec²x – 1. Students think of sec²x = 1 + tan²x and often incorrectly switch the roles of sec²x and tan²x and use tan²x = 1 + sec²x. The following Explain Error reminds the student of the correct identity. (Note that the only mistake is one incorrect sign.)

When the student selects the Explain Error option, they are given this specific explanation for where and how they went wrong:

Making the change and using the correct identity, the student can correct their mistake while in Practice mode.

 

---

 

 

Interested in seeing more of the calculus question bank? Contact us today at info@hawkeslearning.com or 1-800-426-9538 to get free access to the student courseware!