Abstract
The native mathematical language of trigonometry is combinatorial. Two
interrelated combinatorial symmetric functions underlie trigonometry. We
use their characteristics to derive identities for the trigonometric
functions of multiple distinct angles. When applied to the sum of an
infinite number of infinitesimal angles, these identities lead to the power
series expansions of the trigonometric functions. When applied to the
interior angles of a polygon they lead to two general constraints satisfied
by the corresponding tangents. In the case of multiple equal angles they
reduce to the Bernoulli identities. For the case of two distinct angles
they reduce to the Ptolemy identity. They can also be used to derive the
De Moivre-Cotes identity. The above results combined provide an
appropriate mathematical combinatorial language and formalism for
trigonometry and more generally polygonometry. This latter is the
structural language of molecular organization, and is omnipresent in the
natural phenomena of molecular physics, chemistry and biology.
Polygonometry is as important in the study of moderately complex
structures, as trigonometry has historically been in the study of simple
structures.
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