• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.79-90
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper is to derive the ratios of trigonometric special angles from Euclid's by constructing regular pentagon and decagon. The intention of this paper is started from recognizing that teaching of the special angles in secondary math classroom excessively depends on algebraic approaches rather geometric approaches which are the origin of the trigonometric ratios. In this paper the method of constructing regular pentagon and decagon is reviewed and the geometric relationship between this construction and trigonometric special angles is derived. Through such geometric approach the meaning of trigonometric special angles is analyzed from a geometric perspective and pedagogical ideas of teaching these trigonometric ratios is suggested using history of mathematics.