I'm a bit confused... is Algebra 2 the same thing as Trigonometry, or are they two different high school math courses? Would taking both be redundant?
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry are related, but they are not the same thing. They are typically two distinct courses in a high school math curriculum.Algebra 2 tends to focus more on complex number theory, quadratic equations, polynomial functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and statistical analyses.
On the other hand, Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that mainly explores the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles. The primary topics in Trigonometry would typically include sine, cosine, tangent, their applications, and trigonometric identities. While some Algebra 2 classes may introduce basic trigonometric concepts, a full Trigonometry course goes into far more depth.
If your school offers both, and you've completed Algebra 2, taking Trigonometry could provide a more in-depth understanding of concepts that are quite useful for calculus and many STEM areas. A dedicated Trigonometry course usually isn't a requirement in high school but it could be beneficial if you're planning on pursuing a field that requires a lot of math, like engineering or physics, or if you just enjoy the subject.
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