Finite difference approach to trigonometry

Abstract

Two interrelated, finite difference and graph theoretic, approaches to trigonometry are developed by combining a generalization of the finite difference method first employed by Viète, with solution techniques, based on signal flow graphs, for finite difference equations with variable coefficients, and a scaling approach to trigonometry, based on the polygonometric identities.

Keywords:

• exponential and trigonometric functions
• difference equations
• applications of graph theory
• factorials
• binomial coefficients
• combinatorial functions

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification::

• 33B10
• 39A10
• 05C90
• 05A10