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Abstract
This handout dpresents some of the most useful trigonometric identi-
ties. It also explains how to derive new ones.
sin2 α + cos2 α = 1
1 + tan2 α = sec2 α
1 + cot2 α = csc2 α
1
2. Reciprocal Identities
1
sin α =
csc α
1
cos α =
sec α
sin α
tan α =
cos α
cos α
cot α =
sin α
1
sec α =
cos α
1
csc α =
sin α
3. Even-Odd Identities
4. Cofunction Identities
π
sin −α = cos α
2
π
cos −α = sin α
2
We have already proven all these identities, except the cofunction identities.
We have already mentioned them when we studied transformations of the graphs
of sine and cosine. There is a nice way to prove them using a triangle. Consider
the triangle below:
2
Hence,
sin α = cos β
But since
π
α+β+ =π
2
It follows that
π
β= −α
2
Therefore, we have π
sin α = cos −α
2
The proof is similar for the other cofunction identity. Try it.
These identities will be used as our starting point for proving more identities.
Before we do this, you may have already asked yourself: what are identities used
for? One answer is that learning how to prove identities is a good exercise for
the brain. But identities are useful for other reasons. Very often, identities
allow you to simplify expressions. The simpler an expression is, the easier it is
to work with. Identities are also used in solving trigonometric equations.
3
Example 2 Show that cos x (sec x − cos x) = sin2 x
We start with the more complicated side, and transform it into the other side.
1
cos x (sec x − cos x) = cos x − cos x
cos x
1 − cos2 x
= cos x
cos x
= 1 − cos2 x
= sin2 x
2
1
Example 3 Express 1− + cos2 x in terms of sin x
csc x
2
1
1− + cos2 x = (1 − sin x)2 + cos2 x
csc x
= 1 − 2 sin x + sin2 x + cos2 x
= 2 − 2 sin x
2 Other Identities
2.1 Sum and Difference Identities
2.1.1 The Identities
Proposition 4 Let α and β be two real numbers (or two angles). Then we
have:
4
We now concentrate on α − β, and represent it for various values of α and β, in
such a way that α − β remains constant. Two possible such representations are
shown in the picture below.
d (A, B) = d (A B )
2
(d (A, B))2 = (d (A B ))
5
Using the coordinates on the picture above, we can compute these distances.
and
2
(d (A B )) = (cos (α − β) − 1)2 + (sin (α − β) − 0)2
= cos2 (α − β) − 2 cos (α − β) + 1 + sin2 (α − β)
= cos2 (α − β) + sin2 (α − β) − 2 cos (α − β) + 1
= 1 − 2 cos (α − β) + 1
= 2 − 2 cos (α − β)
6
2.1.5 Application: Finding the Exact Value of the Trigonometric
Functions
The sum and difference identities are often used to prove other identities, as we
will see later. You will also use them in Calculus I, so you must know them.
They can also be used to find the exact value of the trigonometric functions at
certain angles. We know the exact value of the trigonometric functions at the
following angles:
π π π π
t 0
6 4
√ 3
√ 2
1 2 3
sin t 0 1
2
√ √2 2
3 2 1
cos t 1 0
2 2 2
For the other angles, we rely on our calculator. The sum and difference formulas
allow us to find the exact value of the trigonometric functions for additional
angles.
7
2.1.6 Application: Simplifying Expressions of the Form A sin α +
B cos α
If we could find an angle β such that cos β = A and sin β = B, the we would
have
where β satisfies
A B
cos β = √ and sin β = √
2
A +B 2 A + B2
2
8
Proposition 9 (double-angle identities) Let α be any angle. Then
sin 2α = sin (α + α)
= sin α cos α + cos α sin α
= 2 sin α cos α
9
The identities
cos 2α = 1 − 2 sin2 α
cos 2α = 2 cos2 α − 1
are important. We can rewrite them as
1 − cos 2a
sin2 α =
2
1 + cos 2α
cos2 α =
2
These two new identities are often used in Calculus II. They allow us to decrease
the power of either sine or cosine.
α 1 − cos α α
2.2.3 Proof of sin = ± and cos
2 2 2
1 − cos 2β
Since sin2 β = , it follows that
2
1 − cos 2β
sin β = ±
2
α
This is true for every β, so it is true for β = . So, we obtain
2
α 1 − cos α
sin = ±
2 2
α
The identity for cos is proven the same way. You will note that for these two
2
identities, we will need to know the quadrant of the angle to determine the sign
of the expression.
α
2.2.4 Proof of the half-angle identities for tan
2
The first identity is proven by using the half-angle identities for sine and cosine,
and the definition of tangent. The proof is left as an exercise. The proof of the
remaining two identities can be found in your book.
2.2.5 Examples
Example 11 Find the exact value of sin 22.5.
45
Since 22.5 = , we have
2
45
sin 22.5 = sin
2
1 − cos 45
= ±
2
10
Since 22.5 is in the first quadrant, sin 22.5 > 0. Therefore,
1 − cos 45
sin 22.5 =
2
√
2
1 −
= 2
2
√
2− 2
=
4
1 √
= 2− 2
2
Example 12 Express sin2 x cos2 x in terms of the first power of cosine.
1 − cos 2x 1 + cos 2x
sin2 x cos2 x =
2 2
1 − cos2 2x
=
4
1 + cos 4x
1−
= 2
4
1 − cos 4x
=
8
11
α sin α
8. Prove that tan =
2 1 + cos α
α 1 − cos α
9. Prove that tan =
2 sin α
10. Do # 1, 3, 5, 8, 21, 45, 47 on pages 518, 519.
11. Do # 9, 10, 17 on page 528.
12