A Comparative Study On Trigonometry In High School Mathematical Textbooks

Textbook, as an important part of school curriculum development, plays an important role in primary and secondary education. There are six high school mathematics textbook series in the country since the implementation of " ordinary high school mathematics curriculum standards (trial version) ". Therefore it is necessary to compare different series of the textbook. This is not only important for teaching, but also important for edition of textbook.This paper has made an intensive study into the compilation differences of trigonometry in PEP and Hunan Education Press high school mathematical textbooks which are more widely used in Chongqing, using research methods of literature content analysis and comparison. Drawn lessons from textbook-comparison model of Yeping Li, this study establishes macroscopic sides (overall features, the choose of the main content, the order of the layout) and microscopic sides (explanation, worked examples, diagram, exercises). Got the following conclusions:1. In terms of overall features, the two editions of textbook designed as paperback and tended to be unpretentious, chiefly in white and black. As the aspect of composition, the Hunan Education Press textbook have more blank space, more hints and labels, which are convenient for students to summary. As the aspect of composition, the Hunan Education Press textbook set rich column. In contrast, PEP is relatively simple.2. The main content of the selected trigonometry is basically the same, Because of the two editions of textbook are based on the "ordinary high school mathematics curriculum standards (trial version)".3. The order is consistent layout is basically the same, in addition to "periodic functions".4. In terms of the mathematical concepts and principles, the two editions of textbook tend to pictorial representation, generally following the model of "a knowledge point-example-a knowledge point-example". But PEP pays more attention to creation of question situation.5. In terms of worked-out examples, the two textbooks have different characteristics. The worked-out examples of PEP have diversified background, and pay more attention to solution specification. The Hunan Education Press textbook have more worked-out examples, which are used to both consolidate the knowledge and teach the new knowledge.6. In terms of the chart, the two editions of textbook are based on the chart which is linked with math. But trigonometry of PEP have higher profession of chart which is irrelevant to math. This shows that PEP prefer to insert the physical picture to attract students’ interest.7. In terms of exercises, The two editions of textbook are biased towards exercises of no background. But there are more exercises which having background in the Hunan Education Press textbook. This illustrate that the Hunan Education Press textbook pay more attention to the connection between mathematics and real-world situations.Finally, based on the results of research, several suggestions are proposed at the end of the paper.