Math 109 T8-Trigonometric Identities

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MATH 109 TOPIC 8 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

I. Using Algebra in Trigonometric Forms Practice Problems

II. Verifying Identities Practice Problems

I. Using Algebra in Trigonometric Form This topic will focus mainly on identities and how they can be veried. That means you will have to memorize (or be able to derive) a list of the fundamental identities (see Part II of this topic). Just as important will be your ability to recognize and perform various algebraic processes (factoring, multiplying polynomials, simplifying rational expressions, . . . ) with trigtype expressions. This is not new algebra, but it probably looks dierent. Here are examples of some basic operations; both algebra and trig versions. 1. Combining Like Terms x2 + 3x2 = 4x2 sin + 3 sin = 4 sin

Common error: sin + sin 2 = sin 3 In trig expressions, like terms must have the same angle (better known as argument).

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2. Simplication of Fractions a) x x2 = 3x 3 tan 2 =2 tan 1 cos2 x (1 cos x)(1 + cos x) = 1 cos x 1 cos x = 1 + cos x tan tan2 = 3 tan 3

Common error:

1 x2 (1 x)(1 + x) = b) 1 x 1x =1+x

Simplifying a fraction containing a sum requires factoring. Only factors can be cancelled. sin2 + cos Common error: = sin + cos sin 3. Multiplication of Polynomials a) 2x(x2 ) = 2x3 sin x(sin2 x) = sin3 x

Remember that exponents count factors: sin3 x means that sin x is a factor 3 times. Common error: sin x(sin2 x) = sin3 x2 sin x(sin 2x) = sin 2x2 (sin 2x)2 = sin2 2x sin x(tan x sec x) = sin x tan x sin x sec x The most common error: sin(a + b) = sin a + sin b sin ( ) represents a composite function where the inner function [whatever appears inside the ( )] is being placed inside a sin function. What does sin(a + b) equal? Arent you curious? If you cant wait to nd out, go to the list of basic identities on pg. 6, Topic 8-II.

b) (2x)2 = 4x2 c) 2x(x 3) = 2x2 6x

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d) (x

2 2) = x2 2 2x + 2

(sin 2x cos x)2 = sin2 2x 2 sin 2x cos x + cos2 x

Common error: (sin x cos x)2 = sin2 x + cos2 x. Squaring a binomial always yields 3 terms. e) (2x 3)(x + 4) = 2x2 + 5x 1 4. Factoring a) Greatest Common Factor x2 3x = x(x 3) (sin x 2)(sin x 1) = sin2 x 3 sin x + 2

sin2 x sin x cos x = sin x(sin x cos x)

Common error: sin a + sin b = sin(a + b). Sin ( ) is a function not a product of factors. b) Dierence of Squares and Trinomials 1 x2 = (1 x)(1 + x) x2 3x 4 = (x 4)(x + 1) Common error: 1 + sin2 x = (1 + sin x)2 The sum of 2 squares is prime. This is just a start. Recognizing algebra techniques when they occur in trig (or any other form) is going to take time, constant comparisons with more familiar forms, and lots of practice. Speaking of practice, heres a start. (Save the thank-yous for the next time we meet.) tan2 x 1 = (tan x 1)(tan x + 1) sin2 x 3 sin x 4 = (sin x 4)(sin x + 1)

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Practice Problems 8.1. True or False a) sin + sin 3 = sin 4 b) 2 sin sin = 2 sin 2 c) sin 2 = 2 sin d) e) f) sin 3 = sin 3 sin sin 3 = sin 3 sin3 2 = sin2 2 sin 2
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8.2. Express the following in factored form a) sin x cos x sin2 x b) 1 2 cos x + cos2 x c) sin2 x 5 sin x + 4 d) 1 sin2 4x 8.3 Expanding Binomials a) (sin x + cos x)2 b) (sin 2x cos 2x)2 c) (1 + tan2 x)2 d) (1 + tan2 x)3 e) (1 + tan x2 )2
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Math 109 T8-Trigonometric Identities

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II. Verifying Identities This section discusses trigonometric identites. It may be helpful rst to review what the word identity means. For our purposes, an identity is an expression involving an equation and a variable. Most importantly, to be an identity the equation must be true for any dened value of the variable. For example, the following equation is not an identity because equality holds only when x=2. 2x 1 = 3 (Not an identity)

One of the most well-known trigonometric identities is the following. sin2 + cos2 = 1 (An identity)

The above equation is true for any value of , and so it is an identity. This means that the expression (sin2 + cos2 ) can be replaced by 1 and alternatively, the number 1 can be replaced by the expression (sin2 +cos2 ). Lets actually derive this identity. In Topic 5, we saw that cos and sin can be considered as the x and y coordinates of a point P on the unit circle. Fig. 8.1 below illustrates this. P (x, y) = (cos , sin ) 1 1

Fig. 8.1. From the Pythagorean Theorem, we have that x2 + y 2 = 1, or cos2 + sin2 = 1. (1) (2)

Clearly, Eqn (1) is true for any point P (x, y) on the unit circle. This means Eqn (2) holds for any value of and is thus an identity.

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In case youre still not convinced, lets select 2 values of and show that sin2 + cos2 = 1. 1 3 . a) Given = , sin = , and cos = 6 2 2 2 2 1 1 3 3 Then + = + = 1. 2 2 4 4 b) Given = Then 3 1 1 , sin = , and cos = . 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 + = + = 1. 2 2 2 2

Listed below are some (but not all!) of the basic identities that may be used in rst semester calculus. Their derivations can be found in any trigonometry book. Note that a complete listing of trigonometric identities and other related information can be found in Topic 13.

Basic Forms a) sin2 a + cos2 a = 1; b) tan2 a + 1 = sec2 a; c) cot2 a + 1 = csc2 a; d) sin(a b) = sin a cos b cos a sin b;

Alternate Forms sin2 ( ) + cos2 ( ) = 1 tan2 ( ) + 1 = sec2 ( ) cot2 ( ) + 1 = csc2 ( ) sin(( )1 ( )2 ) = sin( )1 cos( )2 cos( )1 sin( )2 sin(2( )) = 2 sin( ) cos( ) sin a sin b; cos(( )1 ( )2) = cos( )1 cos( )2 sin( )1 sin( )2 cos(2( )) = cos2 ( ) sin2 ( ) =2 cos2 ( ) 1 =1 2 sin2 ( )

e) sin(2a) = 2 sin a cos a; f) cos(a b) = cos a cos b cos(2a) = cos2 a sin2 a; g) =2 cos2 a 1; =1 2 sin2 a;

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h) cos2 a = i) sin2 a =

1 + cos(2a) ; 2

cos2 ( ) = sin2 ( ) =

1 + cos(2( )) 2

1 cos(2a) ; 2 tan a tan b ; 1 tan a tan b

1 cos(2( )) 2 tan( )1 tan( )2 1 tan( )1 tan( )2

j) tan(ab) =

tan(( )1 ( )2) = tan(2( )) =

k) tan(2a) =

2 tan a ; 1 tan2 a

2 tan( ) 1 tan2( )

In solving problems involving trigonometric identities, you must be able to recognize the identities when they appear. Therefore we recommend memorizing the basic forms listed above. Since memory can sometimes fail, it may be useful to understand how some of them are related. For example, dividing (a) by cos2 a gives (b), while dividing (a) by sin2 a implies (c). The alternate forms of the above identities are really more useful than the basic forms. They allow us to apply the identities in many situations that might not otherwise be apparent. For example, using the alternative form of identity (e) we can write: sin 6 = sin 2(3) = sin 2( ) = 2 sin( ) cos( ) = 2 sin 3 cos 3, or sin 6 = 2 sin 3 cos 3 Similarly, sin 8 =2 sin 4 cos 4, sin 10 =2 sin 5 cos 5, etc. (Now you see why its called the double-angle formula.) As another example, consider sin 3. Using the alternate form of identity (d), we have: sin 3 = sin((2) + ()) = sin(( )1 + ( )2) = sin( )1 cos( )2 + cos( )1 sin( )2, or sin 3 = sin 2 cos + cos 2 sin

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Remark: The alternate forms of the identities merely use blank parentheses. This idea of using blank parentheses instead of letters or symbols can be extremely benecial regardless of the course or setting or problem. We strongly recommend that you try to use this idea in all your math classes. (If this remark does not make sense right now, ask your teacher about it when you have a chance. Its that important!) The basic identities listed earlier along with the denitions of the trigonometric functions (Topic 3a) can be used to verify other identities. For example, verify that sin = sec tan . 1 sin2 One solution technique is to start with one side and work toward the other using known information. Here, we begin with the right side. sec tan = 1 sin sin sin = = . 2 cos cos cos 1 sin2

A slightly more dicult example is the following. Verify 1 + tan = tan . 1 + cot Lets begin with the more complicated expression on the left. 1 + tan 1 + tan = 1 1 + cot 1+ tan = 1 + tan tan + 1 tan tan + 1 tan (denition of cot )

(adding fractions in the denominator)

=(1 + tan ) =(1 + tan ) = tan .

(equivalent form) (denition of division)

tan (tan + 1)

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In working with identities, sometimes writing everything in terms of sin or cos may help. Lets try that previous example again using this approach. sin 1 + tan 1 + cos = cos 1 + cot 1+ sin cos + sin cos = sin + cos sin = cos + sin sin + cos cos sin sin (cos + sin ) cos (sin + cos ) (denitions)

(adding fractions)

(equivalent form)

(denition of division)

sin = tan . cos In calculus, you will not be asked to verify identities. Instead, you will start with an expression and, using identities, manipulate it into an equivalent form more useful for the problem at hand. Two situations where this need will arise involve solving trigonometric equations and performing a process called integration. = Practice Problems. 8.4 Verify the following identities. a) sin sec = tan c) sin (cot + tan ) = sec e) cos2 2 sin2 2 = cos 4 b) sin2 = tan cot cos2
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d) sec2 csc2 = sec2 +csc2 Answers

Beginning of Topic

109 Study Topics

109 Skills Assessment

Math 109 Topic 8 Answers Practice Problems

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8.1.

a) False b) False c) False d) False e) False f) True

8.2.

a) sin x(cos x sin x) b) (1 cos x)2 c) (sin x 1)(sin x 4) d) (1 sin 4x)(1 + sin 4x)
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8.3.

a) sin2 x + 2 sin x cos x + cos2 x b) sin2 2x 2 sin 2x cos 2x + cos2 2x c) 1 + 2 tan2 x + tan4 x d) 1 + 3 tan2 x + 3 tan4 x + tan6 x e) 1 + 2 tan x2 + tan2 x2
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8.4.

a) sin sec = sin

1 = tan cos 1 cos2 = 1 cos2 = sin2 tan

b) tan cot cos2 = tan

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8.4.

c)

sin (cot + tan ) = sin

cos sin + sin cos cos cos sin sin + sin cos cos sin cos2 + sin2 sin cos = sin (1) sin cos

= sin

= sin

1 = sec cos 1 1 + cos2 sin2 sin2 cos2 + cos2 sin2 sin2 cos2

d)

sec2 + csc2 =

sin2 + cos2 1 = = sin2 cos2 sin2 cos2 1 1 = csc2 sec2 2 2 sin cos
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8.4.

e) To solve this problem, we rst notice that the arguments are not the same. Nearly always, this means the expressions must be manipulated until all the arguments are the same. Typically, we begin with the expressions involving the larger arguments. The idea of using blank parentheses is also crucial here. Based on the alternate form of the rst identity in (e), we have cos 4 = cos 2(2) = cos 2( ) = cos2 ( ) sin2 ( ) = cos2 (2) sin2 (2).
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