Trigonometric  

Identities 4.3 

Introduction
A trigonometric identity is a relation between trigonometric expressions which is true for all
values of the variables (usually angles). There are a very large number of such identities. In this
Section we discuss only the most important and widely used. Any engineer using trigonometry
in an application is likely to encounter some of these identities.

 

Prerequisites ① have a basic knowledge of the geometry of

triangles
Before starting this Section you should . . .
 

✓ be familiar with the main trigonometric

Learning Outcomes identities
After completing this Section you should be ✓ use trigonometric identities to combine
able to . . . trigonometric functions
1. Trigonometric Identities
A trigonometric identity is simply a relation which is always true.

1
Using the familiar values sin 30◦ = etc., evaluate sin2 θ + cos2 θ for
2
(i) θ = 30◦ (ii) θ = 45◦ (iii) θ = 60◦ .
[Note that sin2 θ ≡ (sin θ)2 , cos2 θ ≡ (cos θ)2 ]

Your solution

2 2
+ =1 sin2 60◦ + cos2 60◦ =
3 1
2
 √ 2

2 2 2 2
= √ + √ = + =1 sin2 45◦ + cos2 45◦
1 1 1 1

2
2
2 2 4 4
= + = + =1 sin2 30◦ + cos2 30◦
1 3 1 3

2  √ 2

Key Point
For any value of θ
sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1 (5)

One way of demonstrating this result is to use the definitions of sin θ and cos θ obtained from
the circle of unit radius. Refer back to Figure 10.
Recall that cos θ = OQ, sin θ = OR = P Q but, by Pythagoras’ Theorem
(OQ)2 + (QP )2 = (OP )2 = 1
hence cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1.
We have demonstrated the result (5) using an angle θ in the first quadrant but the result is true
for any θ i.e. it is indeed an identity.

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 By dividing the identity
sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1
by (i) sin2 θ (ii) cos2 θ obtain further identities.
Hint: Recall the definitions of cosec θ, sec θ, cot θ.

Your solution

tan2 θ + 1 = sec2 θ
cos2 θ cos2 θ cos2 θ
+ =
sin2 θ cos2 θ 1
(ii)
1 + cot2 θ = cosec2 θ
sin2 θ sin2 θ sin2 θ
+ =
sin2 θ cos2 θ 1
(i)

We now prove a trigonometric identity from which most of the other important identities can
be easily obtained. We shall adopt the notation for a triangle of denoting by a the length of the
side opposite angle A, b the length of side opposite angle B and c that side opposite angle C.
Refer to Figure 19 where we have shown a quarter of a circle of unit radius.

1 1
P2 P2

b A b
d
P1 P1

a a c
B B
A A
O 1 O Q R 1

(a) (b)

Figure 19
Clearly in the right-angled triangle in Figure 19 (a) we have

b a
sin B = =b cos B = =a
OP2 OP2

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
If the sum of angles A and B is denoted by C we have, from Figure 19(b)

sin C = P2 Q = c + d
= a sin A + b cos A

Substituting for a and b gives

sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + sin B cos A.

Carry out a similar exercise using the same diagrams to obtain the correspond-
ing formula for cos(A + B).

Your solution

= cos B cos A − sin B sin A

= a cos A − b sin A
cos C = OQ = OR − QR

We have, from Figure 19(b)

The following are key identities

Key Point
sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B (6)
cos(A + B) = cos A cos B − sin A sin B (7)

Note carefully the addition sign in (6) but the subtraction sign in (7).
Further identities can readily be obtained from (6) and (7).
Replacing B by −B and remembering that cos(−B) = cos B, sin(−B) = − sin B we find

sin(A − B) = sin A cos B − cos A sin B (8)

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 cos(A − B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B (9)
Dividing (6) by (7) we obtain

sin(A + B)
tan(A + B) =
cos(A + B)
sin A cos B + cos A sin B
=
cos A cos B − sin A sin B
Dividing every term by cos A cos B we obtain
tan A + tan B
tan(A + B) = (10)
1 − tan A tan B

By dividing (8) by (9) obtain a similar expansion of tan(A − B)

Your solution

1 + tan A tan B
(11) tan(A − B) =
tan A − tan B
Dividing every term by cos A cos B gives
cos A cos B + sin A sin B
tan(A − B) =
sin A cos B − cos A sin B

Example Obtain expressions for cos θ in terms of the sine function and for sin θ in terms
of the cosine function.

Solution
Using (9) with A = θ, B = π2 we obtain
     
cos θ − π2 = cos θ cos π2 + sin θ sin π2 = (cos θ) (0) + sin θ (1)
   
i.e. sin θ = cos θ − π2 = cos π2 − θ
This result explains why the graph of sin θ has exactly the same shape as the graph of cos θ
π
but it is shifted to the right
 by 2 . (See Figure 17). A similar calculation using (6) yields the
π
result cos θ = sin θ + 2 .

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
Double angle formulae
If we put B = A in the identity given in (6) we obtain

sin 2A = sin A cos A + cos A sin A

= 2 sin A cos A (12)

Put B = A in (7) to obtain an identity for cos 2A. Using sin2 A + cos2 A = 1
obtain two alternative forms of the identity.

Your solution

(15) cos 2A = 1 − 2 sin2 A

cos 2A = (1 − sin2 A) − sin2 A

Alternatively substituting for cos2 A in (13)

(14) = 2 cos2 A − 1
cos 2A = cos2 A − (1 − cos2 A)

Substituting for sin2 A in (13) we obtain

(13) cos(2A) = cos2 A − sin2 A . ..

cos(2A) = (cos A)(cos A) − (sin A)(sin A)

Using (7) with A = B

Use (14) and (15) to obtain, respectively, cos2 A and sin2 A in terms of cos 2A

Your solution

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 2
From (15) sin2 A = (1 − cos 2A)
1
2
From (14) cos2 A = (1 + cos 2A)
1

Use (12) and (13) to obtain an identity for tan 2A in terms of tan A.

Your solution

cos2 A
1 − tan2 A 1−
sin2 A
(16) = A
tan 2A =
2 tan A 2 cos
sin A

Dividing numerator and denominator by cos2 A we obtain

cos 2A cos2 A − sin2 A
= tan 2A =
sin 2A 2 sin A cos A

Half-angle formula
A
If we simply replace A by and, consequently 2A by A, in (12) we obtain
2



A A
sin A = 2 sin cos (17)
2 2

Similarly from (13)


A
cos A = 2 cos 2
− 1. (18)
2
These are examples of half-angle formulae. We can obtain a half-angle formula for tan A using
(16). Replacing A by A2 , 2A by A in (16) we obtain
 
2 tan A2
tan A =   (19)
1 − tan2 A2

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
Other formulae, useful for integration when

trigonometric
 functions are present, can be obtained
A
using (19). For example if we let t = tan then from (19)
2

2t
tan A =
1 − t2

Also, from (17)



A A
sin A = 2 sin cos
2 2




A 2 A A
= 2 tan cos (multiplying top and bottom by cos )
2 2 2
   
tan A2 2 tan A2 2t
= 2 2 A =  =
2 A
sec 2 1 + tan 2 1 + t2

A
Use (18) to obtain cos A in terms of t = tan 2
. Hint: use the identity
A
tan2 θ + 1 = sec2 θ with θ =
2

Your solution

1 + t2
cos A = So
1 − t2
sec2 A2 1 + tan2 A2
=   =  
1 − tan2 A2 1 − tan2 A2
   
2 2
= cos2 1 − tan2
A A



2 2 2
cos A = 2 cos2 − 1 = cos2 − sin2
A A A





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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 Key Point


A
If t = tan then
2

2t 1 − t2 2t
sin A = cos A = tan A =
1 + t2 1 + t2 1 − t2

Sum of two sines and of two cosines

Finally, in this Section , we obtain results that are widely used in areas of science and engineering
such as vibration theory, wave theory and electric circuit theory.
We return to the identities (6) and (8)

sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B

sin(A − B) = sin A cos B − cos A sin B

Adding these identities gives

sin(A + B) + sin(A − B) = 2 sin A cos B (20)

Subtracting the identities produces

sin(A + B) − sin(A − B) = 2 cos A sin B (21)

It is now convenient to let C = A + B D = A − B so that

C +D C −D
A= B=
2 2
Hence (20) becomes



C +D C −D
sin C + sin D = 2 sin cos (22)
2 2

(or, in words, the sum of 2 sines = twice the sine of half the sum (of the angles) multiplied the
cosine of half the difference (of the angles).
Similarly (21) becomes



C +D C −D
sin C − sin D = 2 cos sin (23)
2 2

[Note that (23) can alternatively be obtained by replacing D by −D in (22).]

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 Use (7) and (9) in a similar way to the above to obtain results for the sum and
for the difference of two cosines.

Your solution

2 2
(25) sin = 2 sin
D−C C +D



2 2
sin cos C − cos D = −2 sin
C −D C +D



2 2
(24) cos cos C + cos D = 2 cos
C −D C +D



D =A−B Hence with C = A + B

−2 sin A sin B = cos(A + B) − cos(A − B)

2 cos A cos B = cos(A + B) + cos(A − B) . ..
cos A cos B + sin A sin B = cos(A − B)
cos A cos B − sin A sin B = cos(A + B)

Summary

We have covered in this Section a large number of trigonometric identities. The most important
of them and probably the ones most worth memorising are given in the following key-point.

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 Key Point

cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1
sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ
cos 2θ = cos2 θ − sin2 θ
= 2 cos2 θ − 1
= 1 − 2
sin2 θ 

C +D C −D
sin C + sin D = 2 sin cos
2 2



C +D C −D
sin C − sin D = 2 cos sin
2 2



C +D C −D
cos C − cos D = −2 sin sin
2 2



C +D C −D
cos C + cos D = 2 cos cos
2 2

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 Exercises
1. Show that sin t sec t = tan t.

2. Show that (1 + sin t)(1 + sin(−t)) = cos2 t.

1
3. Show that = 12 sin 2θ.
tan θ + cot θ
4. Show that sin2 (A + B) − sin2 (A − B) = sin 2A sin 2B.

(Hint: the left hand side is the difference of the squared quantities.)
sin 4θ + sin 2θ
5. Show that = tan 3θ.
cos 4θ + cos 2θ
6. Show that cos4 A − sin4 A = cos 2A

7. Express each of the following as the sum (or difference) of 2 sines (or cosines)
1 1 3
(a) sin 5x cos 2x (b) 8 cos 6x cos 4x (c) sin x cos x
3 2 2
8. Express (a) sin 3θ in terms of cos θ. (b) cos 3θ in terms of cos θ.

9. By writing cos 4x as cos 2(2x), or otherwise, express cos 4x in terms of cos x.

2 tan t
10. Show that tan 2t = .
2 − sec2 t
cos 10t − cos 12t
11. Show that = tan t.
sin 10t + sin 12t
12. Show that the area of an isosceles triangle with equal sides of length x is

x2
A= sin θ
2
where θ is the angle between the two equal sides. Hint: Use the following figure:
A
θ
2
x x

B D C

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4.3: Trigonometric Identities
 4.3: Trigonometric Identities
HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 1 13
1 sin t
1. sin t. sec t = sin t. = = tan t.
cos t cos t
2. Recall that sin(−t) = − sin t. (See the graph of sin t if you are unfamiliar with this result.)
Hence
(1 + sin t)(1 + sin(−t)) = (1 + sin t)(1 − sin t)
= 1 − sin2 t
= cos2 t
3.
1 1 1
= sin θ cos θ
= sin2 θ+cos2 θ
tan θ + cos θ cos θ
+ sin θ sin θ cos θ
sin θ cos θ
=
sin2 θ + cos2 θ
= sin θ cos θ
1
= sin 2θ
2
4. Using the hint and the identity
x2 − y 2 = (x − y)(x + y)
we have
sin2 (A + B) − sin2 (A − B) = (sin(A + B) − sin(A − B))(sin(A + B) + sin(A − B))
The first bracket gives
sin A cos B + cos A sin B − (sin A cos B − cos A sin B) = 2 cos A sin B
Similarly the second bracket gives 2 sin A cos B.
Multiplying we obtain (2 cos A sin A)(2 cos B sin B) = sin 2A. sin 2B
sin 4θ + sin 2θ 2 sin 3θ cos θ sin 3θ
5. = = = tan 3θ
cos 4θ + cos 2θ 2 cos 3θ cos θ cos 3θ
 4.3: Trigonometric Identities
14 HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 1
6.
cos4 A − sin4 A = (cos A)4 − (sin A)4
= (cos2 A)2 − (sin2 A)2
= (cos2 A − sin2 A)(cos2 A + sin2 A)
= cos2 A − sin2 A = cos 2A
7.



A+B A−B
(a) Using sin A + sin B = 2 sin cos
2 2
A+B A−B
Clearly here = 5x = 2x giving A = 7x B = 3x
2 2
1
. .. sin 5x cos 2x = (sin 7x + sin 3x)
2



A+B A−B A+B
(b) Using cos A + cos B = 2 cos cos . With = 6x
2 2 2
A−B
= 4x
2
giving A = 10x B = 2x . .. 8 cos 6x cos 4x = 4(cos 6x + cos 2x)



1 1 3x 1
(c) sin x cos = (sin 2x − sin x)
3 2 2 6
8.
(a)
sin 3θ = sin(2θ + θ) = sin 2θ cos θ + cos 2θ sin θ
= 2 sin θ cos2 θ + (cos2 θ − sin2 θ) sin θ
= 3 sin θ cos2 θ − sin3 θ
= 3 sin θ(1 − sin2 θ) − sin3 θ = 3 sin θ − 4 sin3 θ
(b)
cos 3θ = cos(2θ + θ) = cos 2θ cos θ − sin 2θ sin θ
= (cos2 θ − sin2 θ) cos θ − 2 sin θ cos θ sin θ
= cos3 θ − 3 sin2 θ cos θ
= cos3 θ − 3(1 − cos2 θ) cos θ = 4 cos3 θ − 3 cos θ
9.
cos 4x = cos 2(2x) = 2 cos2 (2x) − 1
= 2(cos 2x)2 − 1
= 2(2 cos2 x − 1)2 − 1
= 2(4 cos4 x − 4 cos2 x + 1) − 1 = 8 cos4 x − 8 cos2 x + 1.
 4.3: Trigonometric Identities
HELM (VERSION 1: March 18, 2004): Workbook Level 1 15
10.
2 tan t
tan 2t =
1 − tan2 t
2 tan t 2 tan t
= =
1 − (sec2 t − 1) 2 − sec2 t
11. cos 10t − cos 12t = 2 sin 11t sin t sin 10t + sin 12t = 2 sin 11t cos(−t)
cos 10t − cos 12t sin t sin t
. .. = = = tan t
sin 10t + sin 12t cos(−t) cos t
1
12. The right-angled triangle ACD has area 2
(CD)(AD)



θ CD θ
But sin = . .. CD = x sin
2 x 2



θ AD θ
cos = . .. AD = x cos
2 x 2



1 2 θ θ 1
. .. area of ∆ACD = x sin cos = x2 sin θ
2 2 2 4
1
. .. area of ∆ABC = 2 × area of ∆ACD = x2 sin θ
2