Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 945

7.4 | Sum-to-Product and Product-to-Sum Formulas

Learning Objectives
In this section, you will:
7.4.1 Express products as sums.
7.4.2 Express sums as products.

Figure 7.19 The UCLA marching band (credit: Eric Chan, Flickr).

A band marches down the field creating an amazing sound that bolsters the crowd. That sound travels as a wave that can
be interpreted using trigonometric functions. For example, Figure 7.20 represents a sound wave for the musical note A.
In this section, we will investigate trigonometric identities that are the foundation of everyday phenomena such as sound
waves.

Figure 7.20

Expressing Products as Sums

We have already learned a number of formulas useful for expanding or simplifying trigonometric expressions, but
sometimes we may need to express the product of cosine and sine as a sum. We can use the product-to-sum formulas, which
express products of trigonometric functions as sums. Let’s investigate the cosine identity first and then the sine identity.
Expressing Products as Sums for Cosine
We can derive the product-to-sum formula from the sum and difference identities for cosine. If we add the two equations,
we get:
      cos α cos β + sin α sin β = cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠
+  cos α cos β − sin α sin β = cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠
________________________________
                                   2 cos α cos β = cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ + cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠
946 Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Then, we divide by  2  to isolate the product of cosines:

cos α cos β = 1 [cos(α − β) + cos(α + β)]

2
Given a product of cosines, express as a sum.
1. Write the formula for the product of cosines.
2. Substitute the given angles into the formula.
3. Simplify.

Example 7.31

Writing the Product as a Sum Using the Product-to-Sum Formula for Cosine

⎛ ⎞
Write the following product of cosines as a sum:  2 cos⎝7x ⎠ cos  3x .
2 2

Solution
We begin by writing the formula for the product of cosines:

cos α cos β = 1 ⎡⎣cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ + cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠⎤⎦

2
We can then substitute the given angles into the formula and simplify.
⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞⎡ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞⎤
2 cos⎝7x ⎠cos⎝3x ⎠ = (2)⎝1 ⎠⎣cos⎝7x − 3x ⎠ + cos⎝7x + 3x ⎠⎦
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
⎡ ⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞⎤
= ⎣cos⎝4x ⎠ + cos⎝10x ⎠⎦
2 2
= cos 2x + cos 5x

7.16 Use the product-to-sum formula to write the product as a sum or difference:  cos(2θ)cos(4θ).

Expressing the Product of Sine and Cosine as a Sum

Next, we will derive the product-to-sum formula for sine and cosine from the sum and difference formulas for sine. If we
add the sum and difference identities, we get:

sin(α + β) = sin α cos β + cos α sin β

+ sin(α − β) = sin α cos β − cos α sin β
_________________________________________
sin(α + β) + sin(α − β) = 2 sin α cos β

Then, we divide by 2 to isolate the product of cosine and sine:

sin α cos β = 1 ⎡⎣sin⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ + sin⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠⎤⎦

2

Example 7.32

Writing the Product as a Sum Containing only Sine or Cosine

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Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 947

Express the following product as a sum containing only sine or cosine and no products:  sin(4θ)cos(2θ).

Solution
Write the formula for the product of sine and cosine. Then substitute the given values into the formula and
simplify.

             sin α cos β = 1 ⎡⎣sin⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ + sin⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠⎤⎦

2
1
  sin(4θ)cos(2θ) = ⎡⎣sin(4θ + 2θ) + sin(4θ − 2θ)⎤⎦
2
                                       = 1 ⎡⎣sin(6θ) + sin(2θ)⎤⎦
2

7.17 Use the product-to-sum formula to write the product as a sum:  sin(x + y)cos(x − y).

Expressing Products of Sines in Terms of Cosine

Expressing the product of sines in terms of cosine is also derived from the sum and difference identities for cosine. In this
case, we will first subtract the two cosine formulas:

 cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ = cos α cos β + sin α sin β

  cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ = − ⎛⎝cos α cos β − sin α sin β⎞⎠
−____________________________________________________
  cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ − cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ = 2 sin α sin β

Then, we divide by 2 to isolate the product of sines:

sin α sin β = 1 ⎡⎣cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ − cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠⎤⎦

2
Similarly we could express the product of cosines in terms of sine or derive other product-to-sum formulas.

The Product-to-Sum Formulas

The product-to-sum formulas are as follows:

cos α cos β = 1 ⎡⎣cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ + cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠⎤⎦ (7.33)

2
sin α cos β = 1 ⎡⎣sin⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ + sin⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠⎤⎦ (7.34)
2
1
sin α sin β = ⎡⎣cos⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠ − cos⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠⎤⎦ (7.35)
2
cos α sin β = 1 ⎡⎣sin⎛⎝α + β⎞⎠ − sin⎛⎝α − β⎞⎠⎤⎦ (7.36)
2

Example 7.33

Express the Product as a Sum or Difference

Write  cos(3θ) cos(5θ)  as a sum or difference.

948 Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Solution
We have the product of cosines, so we begin by writing the related formula. Then we substitute the given angles
and simplify.

cos α cos β = 1 [cos(α − β) + cos(α + β)]

2
1
cos(3θ)cos(5θ) = [cos(3θ − 5θ) + cos(3θ + 5θ)]
2
= 1 [cos(2θ) + cos(8θ)] Use even-odd identity.
2

7.18 Use the product-to-sum formula to evaluate  cos  11π  cos  π .

12 12

Expressing Sums as Products

Some problems require the reverse of the process we just used. The sum-to-product formulas allow us to express sums
of sine or cosine as products. These formulas can be derived from the product-to-sum identities. For example, with a few
substitutions, we can derive the sum-to-product identity for sine. Let   u + v = α  and   u − v = β.
2 2
Then,
α+β= u+v + u−v
2 2
= 2u
2
=u
α−β= u+v − u−v
2 2
= 2v
2
=v
Thus, replacing  α  and  β  in the product-to-sum formula with the substitute expressions, we have

sin α cos β = 1 [sin(α + β) + sin(α − β)]

2
⎛u + v ⎞ ⎛u − v ⎞ 1
sin⎝ cos = [sin u + sin v] Substitute for(α + β) and (α − β)
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠ 2
⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
2 sin⎝u + v ⎠cos⎝u − v ⎠ = sin u + sin v
2 2
The other sum-to-product identities are derived similarly.

Sum-to-Product Formulas
The sum-to-product formulas are as follows:
⎛α + β ⎞ ⎛α − β ⎞ (7.37)
sin α + sin β = 2sin⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
cos

⎛α − β ⎞ ⎛α + β ⎞ (7.38)
sin α − sin β = 2sin⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
cos

⎛α + β ⎞ ⎛α − β ⎞ (7.39)
cos α − cos β = − 2sin⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
sin

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Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 949

⎛α + β ⎞ ⎛α − β ⎞ (7.40)
cos α + cos β = 2cos⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
cos

Example 7.34

Writing the Difference of Sines as a Product

Write the following difference of sines expression as a product:  sin(4θ) − sin(2θ).

Solution
We begin by writing the formula for the difference of sines.
⎛α − β ⎞ ⎛α + β ⎞
sin α − sin β = 2sin⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
cos

Substitute the values into the formula, and simplify.

⎛ ⎞ ⎛ ⎞
sin(4θ) − sin(2θ) = 2sin⎝4θ − 2θ ⎠ cos⎝4θ + 2θ ⎠
2 2
⎛2θ ⎞ ⎛6θ ⎞
= 2sin⎝ ⎠ cos⎝ ⎠
2 2
= 2 sin θ cos(3θ)

7.19 Use the sum-to-product formula to write the sum as a product:  sin(3θ) + sin(θ).

Example 7.35

Evaluating Using the Sum-to-Product Formula

Evaluate  cos(15∘ ) − cos(75∘ ).

Solution
We begin by writing the formula for the difference of cosines.
⎛α + β ⎞ ⎛α − β ⎞
cos α − cos β = − 2 sin⎝
2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠
 sin

Then we substitute the given angles and simplify.

⎛ ∘ ∘⎞ ⎛ ∘ ∘⎞
cos(15∘ ) − cos(75∘ ) = − 2sin⎝15 + 75 ⎠ sin⎝15 − 75 ⎠
2 2
= − 2sin(45∘ ) sin( − 30∘ )
⎛ ⎞⎛ ⎞
= − 2⎝ 2 ⎠⎝− 1 ⎠
2 2
= 2
2

Example 7.36
950 Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Proving an Identity

Prove the identity:

cos(4t) − cos(2t)
= − tan t
sin(4t) + sin(2t)

Solution
We will start with the left side, the more complicated side of the equation, and rewrite the expression until it
matches the right side.
⎛ 4t + 2t ⎞ ⎛ 4t − 2t ⎞
cos(4t) − cos(2t) −2 sin⎝ 2 ⎠ sin⎝ 2 ⎠
=
sin(4t) + sin(2t) 2 sin⎛⎝4t +2 2t ⎞⎠ cos⎛⎝4t −2 2t ⎞⎠
−2 sin(3t)sin t
=
2 sin(3t)cos t
− 2 sin(3t)sin t
=
2 sin(3t)cos t
sin t
= − cos t
= − tan t

Analysis
Recall that verifying trigonometric identities has its own set of rules. The procedures for solving an equation are
not the same as the procedures for verifying an identity. When we prove an identity, we pick one side to work on
and make substitutions until that side is transformed into the other side.

Example 7.37

Verifying the Identity Using Double-Angle Formulas and Reciprocal Identities

cos(2θ)
Verify the identity  csc 2 θ − 2 = .
sin 2 θ

Solution
For verifying this equation, we are bringing together several of the identities. We will use the double-angle
formula and the reciprocal identities. We will work with the right side of the equation and rewrite it until it
matches the left side.
cos(2θ) 1 − 2 sin 2 θ
=
sin 2 θ sin 2 θ
2
= 12 − 2 sin2 θ
sin θ sin θ
= csc 2 θ − 2

7.20 Verify the identity  tan θ cot θ − cos 2 θ = sin 2 θ.

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Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 951

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with the product-to-sum and sum-to-product
identities.
• Sum to Product Identities (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/sumtoprod)
• Sum to Product and Product to Sum Identities (http://openstaxcollege.org/l/sumtpptsum)
952 Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations

7.4 EXERCISES
Verbal

162. Starting with the product to sum formula  sin α cos β = 1 [sin(α + β) + sin(α − β)], explain how to determine the
2
formula for  cos α sin β.

163. Explain two different methods of calculating  cos(195°)cos(105°), one of which uses the product to sum. Which
method is easier?

164. Explain a situation where we would convert an equation from a sum to a product and give an example.

165. Explain a situation where we would convert an equation from a product to a sum, and give an example.

Algebraic
For the following exercises, rewrite the product as a sum or difference.

166. 16 sin(16x)sin(11x)

167. 20 cos(36t)cos(6t)

168. 2 sin(5x)cos(3x)

169. 10 cos(5x)sin(10x)

170. sin(−x)sin(5x)

171. sin(3x)cos(5x)

For the following exercises, rewrite the sum or difference as a product.

172. cos(6t) + cos(4t)

173. sin(3x) + sin(7x)

174. cos(7x) + cos(−7x)

175. sin(3x) − sin(−3x)

176. cos(3x) + cos(9x)

177. sin h − sin(3h)

For the following exercises, evaluate the product for the following using a sum or difference of two functions. Evaluate
exactly.

178. cos(45°)cos(15°)

179. cos(45°)sin(15°)

180. sin(−345°)sin(−15°)

181. sin(195°)cos(15°)

182. sin(−45°)sin(−15°)

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Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 953

For the following exercises, evaluate the product using a sum or difference of two functions. Leave in terms of sine and
cosine.

183. cos(23°)sin(17°)

184. 2 sin(100°)sin(20°)

185. 2 sin(−100°)sin(−20°)

186. sin(213°)cos(8°)

187. 2 cos(56°)cos(47°)

For the following exercises, rewrite the sum as a product of two functions. Leave in terms of sine and cosine.

188. sin(76°) + sin(14°)

189. cos(58°) − cos(12°)

190. sin(101°) − sin(32°)

191. cos(100°) + cos(200°)

192. sin(−1°) + sin(−2°)

For the following exercises, prove the identity.

193. cos(a + b)
= 1 − tan a tan b
cos(a − b) 1 + tan a tan b

194. 4 sin(3x)cos(4x) = 2 sin(7x) − 2 sinx

195. 6 cos(8x)sin(2x)
= −3 sin(10x)csc(6x) + 3
sin(−6x)

196. sin x + sin(3x) = 4 sin x cos 2 x

197. 2⎛cos 3 x − cos x sin 2 x⎞ = cos(3x) + cos x

⎝ ⎠

198. 2 tan x cos(3x) = sec x⎛⎝sin(4x) − sin(2x)⎞⎠

199. cos(a + b) + cos(a − b) = 2 cos a cos b

Numeric
For the following exercises, rewrite the sum as a product of two functions or the product as a sum of two functions. Give
your answer in terms of sines and cosines. Then evaluate the final answer numerically, rounded to four decimal places.

200. cos(58∘ ) + cos(12∘ )

201. sin(2∘ ) − sin(3∘ )

202. cos(44∘ ) − cos(22∘ )

203. cos(176∘ )sin(9∘ )

954 Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations

204. sin(−14∘ )sin(85∘ )

Technology
For the following exercises, algebraically determine whether each of the given expressions is a true identity. If it is not
an identity, replace the right-hand side with an expression equivalent to the left side. Verify the results by graphing both
expressions on a calculator.

205. 2 sin(2x)sin(3x) = cos x − cos(5x)

206. cos(10θ) + cos(6θ)

= cot(2θ)cot(8θ)
cos(6θ) − cos(10θ)

207. sin(3x) − sin(5x)

= tan x
cos(3x) + cos(5x)

208. 2 cos(2x)cos x + sin(2x)sin x = 2 sin x

209. sin(2x) + sin(4x)

= − tan(3x)cot x
sin(2x) − sin(4x)

For the following exercises, simplify the expression to one term, then graph the original function and your simplified version
to verify they are identical.

210. sin(9t) − sin(3t)

cos(9t) + cos(3t)

211. 2 sin(8x)cos(6x) − sin(2x)

212. sin(3x) − sin x

sin x

213. cos(5x) + cos(3x)

sin(5x) + sin(3x)

214. sin x cos(15x) − cos x sin(15x)

Extensions
For the following exercises, prove the following sum-to-product formulas.

215. sin x − sin y = 2 sin⎛ x − y ⎞cos⎛ x + y ⎞

⎝ ⎠ ⎝
2 ⎠ 2

216. cos x + cos y = 2 cos⎛ x + y ⎞cos⎛ x − y ⎞

⎝ ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠ 2

For the following exercises, prove the identity.

217. sin(6x) + sin(4x)

= tan (5x)cot x
sin(6x) − sin(4x)

218. cos(3x) + cos x

= − cot (2x)cot x
cos(3x) − cos x

219. cos(6y) + cos(8y)

= cot y cos (7y)sec (5y)
sin(6y) − sin(4y)

220.

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Chapter 7 Trigonometric Identities and Equations 955

cos⎛⎝2y⎞⎠ − cos⎛⎝4y⎞⎠
= tan y
sin⎛⎝2y⎞⎠ + sin⎛⎝4y⎞⎠

221. sin(10x) − sin(2x)

= tan(4x)
cos(10x) + cos(2x)

222. cos x − cos(3x) = 4 sin 2 xcos x

223. (cos(2x) − cos(4x)) 2 + (sin(4x) + sin(2x)) 2 = 4 sin 2(3x)

224. tan⎛π − t⎞ = 1 − tan t

⎝4 ⎠ 1 + tan t