Trigonometric Identities

Peggy Adamson

Mathematics Learning Centre

University of Sydney
NSW 2006

1986
c University of Sydney
Contents
1 Introduction 1
1.1 How to use this book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.3 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.4 Pretest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2 Relations between the trigonometric functions 2

3 The Pythagorean identities 4

4 Sums and differences of angles 7

5 Double angle formulae 11

6 Applications of the sum, difference, and double angle formulae 12

7 Self assessment 13

8 Solutions to exercises 14
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 1

1 Introduction

1.1 How to use this book

You will not gain much by just reading this booklet. Have pencil and paper ready to work
through the examples before reading their solutions. Do all the exercises. It is important
that you try hard to complete the exercises on your own, rather than refer to the solutions
as soon as you are stuck.

1.2 Introduction

This unit is designed to help you learn, or revise, trigonometric identities.

You need to know these identities, and be able to use them confidently. They are used
in many different branches of mathematics, including integration, complex numbers and
mechanics.

The best way to learn these identities is to have lots of practice in using them. So we
remind you of what they are, then ask you to work through examples and exercises. We’ve
tried to select exercises that might be useful to you later, in your calculus unit of study.

1.3 Objectives

By the time you have worked through this workbook you should

• be familiar with the trigonometric functions sin, cos, tan, sec, csc and cot, and with the
relationships between them,

• know the identities associated with sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1,

• know the expressions for sin, cos, tan of sums and differences of angles,

• be able to simplify expressions and verify identities involving the trigonometric functions,

• know how to differentiate all the trigonometric functions,

• know expressions for sin 2θ, cos 2θ, tan 2θ and use them in simplifying trigonometric
functions,

• know how to reduce expressions involving powers and products of trigonometric func-
tions to simple forms which can be integrated.
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 2

1.4 Pretest
We shall assume that you are familiar with radian measure for angles, and with the
definitions and properties of the trigonometric functions sin, cos, tan. This test is included
to help you check how well you remember these.
1. Express in radians angles of
i. 60◦ ii. 135◦ iii. 270◦

2. Express in degrees angles of

π 3π
i. ii. − iii. 2π
4 2

3. What are the values of

π 3π 3π
i. sin ii. cos iii. tan
2 2 4
7π 5π
iv. sin V. cos vi. tan 2π
6 3
4. Sketch the graph of y = cos x.

2 Relations between the trigonometric functions

Recall the definitions of the trigonometric functions by means of the unit circle, x2 + y 2 = 1.

sin θ = y (x, y)

cos θ = x
θ

y
tan θ =
x

Three more functions are defined in terms of these, secant (sec), cosecant (cosec or csc)
and cotangent (cot).

1
sec θ = (1)
cos θ
1
csc θ = (2)
sin θ
1
cot θ = (3)
tan θ
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 3

The functions cos and sin are the basic ones. Each of the others can be expressed in terms
of these. In particular

sin θ
tan θ = (4)
cos θ
cos θ
cot θ = (5)
sin θ

These relationships are identities, not equations. An equation is a relation between func-
tions that is true only for some particular values of the variable.
π
For example, the relation sin θ = cos θ is an equation, since it is satisfied when θ = , but
4
not for other values of θ between 0 and π.
sin θ
On the other hand, tan θ = is true for all values of θ, so this is an identity.
cos θ

The relationships (1) to (5) above are true for all values of θ, and so are identities. They
can be used to simplify trigonometric expressions, and to prove other identities. Usually
the best way to begin is to express everything in terms of sin and cos.

Examples
1. Simplify the function cos x tan x.

sin x
cos x tan x = cos x ×
cos x

= sin x

sin θ + tan θ
2. Show that = sin θ tan θ.
csc θ + cot θ
To show that an identity is true, we have to prove that the left hand side and the
right hand side are different ways of writing the same function. We usually do this
by starting with one side and using the identities we know to transform it until we
obtain the expression on the other side.
sin θ
sin θ + tan θ sin θ + cos θ
= 1 cos θ
csc θ + cot θ sin θ
+ sin θ

(sin θ cos θ + sin θ) sin θ

= ×
1 + cos θ cos θ

sin2 θ(1 + cos θ)

=
cos θ(1 + cos θ)
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 4

sin2 θ
=
cos θ

= sin θ tan θ

Exercises 1
1. Simplify
a. sin x cot x

csc θ
b.
sec θ

sin x + tan x
c.
1 + sec x
2. Show that
cot θ + 1 1 + tan θ
a. =
cot θ − 1 1 − tan θ

cot x + 1
b. = csc x
sin x + cos x

sin x
c. (1 + tan x) = tan x.
sin x + cos x

3 The Pythagorean identities

Remember that Pythagoras’ theorem states that in any right angled triangle, the square
on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides.
In the right angled triangle OAB, x = cos θ and y = sin θ, so
cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 (6).

A(x, y)

1 y

θ
O x B
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 5

Remember that cos2 θ means (cos θ)2 = cos θ cos θ.

Two other important identities can be derived from this one.

Dividing both sides of (6) by cos2 θ we obtain
cos2 θ sin2 θ 1
2
+ 2
=
cos θ cos θ cos2 θ
ie 1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ.
If we divide both sides of (6) by sin2 θ we get
cos2 θ sin2 θ 1
2 + 2 =
sin θ sin θ sin2 θ
ie cot2 θ + 1 = csc2 θ.
Summarising,
cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 (6)

1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ (7)

cot2 θ + 1 = csc2 θ (8)

Examples
sec2 θ
1. Simplify the expression .
sec2 θ − 1

sec2 θ sec2 θ
=
sec2 θ − 1 tan2 θ
1
cos2 θ
= sin2 θ
cos2 θ
1
=
sin2 θ

= csc2 θ.

2. Show that
1 − 2 cos2 θ
= tan θ − cot θ.
sin θ cos θ
sin θ cos θ
tan θ − cot θ = −
cos θ sin θ
sin2 θ − cos2 θ
=
sin θ cos θ
1 − 2 cos2 θ
= .
sin θ cos θ
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 6

Exercises 2

1. Simplify
1
a.
tan x + cot x

b. (1 − sin2 t)(1 + tan2 t)

1 + cos θ cos θ − 1
c. + .
sec θ − tan θ sec θ + tan θ

2. Show that
a. sin4 θ − cos4 θ = 1 − 2 cos2 θ
b. tan x csc x = tan x sin x + cos x
1 + sec θ tan θ
c. = .
tan θ sec θ − 1

Remember that you used these identities in finding the derivatives of tan, sec, csc and
cot.
d d
Recall that (sin x) = cos x and (cos x) = − sin x.
dx dx

Then
 
d d sin x
(tan x) =
dx dx cos x
cos x cos x − sin x(− sin x)
=
cos2 x
cos2 x + sin2 x
=
cos2 x
1
=
cos2 x

= sec2 x.

Exercises 3

Find

d d d
1. (cot x), 2. (sec x), 3. (csc x).
dx dx dx
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 7

4 Sums and differences of angles

A number of useful identities depend on the expressions for sin(α + β) and cos(α − β).
We shall state these expressions, then show how they can be derived.
sin(α + β) = sin α cos β + cos α sin β (9)
cos(α + β) = cos α cos β − sin α sin β (10)
sin(α − β) = sin α cos β − cos α sin β (11)
cos(α − β) = cos α cos β + sin α sin β (12)
The expressions for sin(α + β), sin(α − β) and cos(α + β) can all be derived from the
expression for cos(α − β). We derive that expression first.
Look at the two diagrams below containing the angle (α − β). We assume α is greater
than β.
We draw α and β in standard position We draw the angle α − β in standard
(ie from the positive x-axis), and let A position and let A be the point where
and B be the points where the terminal its terminal side cuts the unit circle.
sides of α and β cut the unit circle.

A'
A
B
α

α−β
α−β
β B'
O O

A is the point (cos α, sin α). A is the point (cos(α − β), sin(α − β)).
B is the point (cos β, sin β). B is the point (1, 0).

The triangles OAB and OA B are congruent, since triangle OA B is obtained by rotating
OAB until OB lies along the x-axis. Therefore AB and A B are equal in length.

Recall that the distance between two points P(x1 , y1 ) and Q(x2 , y2 ) is given by the formula
(PQ)2 = (x2 − x1 )2 + (y2 − y1 )2 .
So the distance AB is given by
(AB)2 = (cos β − cos α)2 + (sin β − sin α)2

= cos2 β − 2 cos α cos β + cos2 α + sin2 β − 2 sin α sin β + sin2 α

= 2 − 2 cos α cos β − 2 sin α sin β.

Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 8

The distance A B is given by

(A B )2 = (cos(α − β) − 1)2 + (sin(α − β))2

= cos2 (α − β) − 2 cos(α − β) + 1 + sin2 (α − β)

= 2 − 2 cos(α − β).

These distances are equal so

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

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

From this we can derive expressions for cos(α + β), sin(α + β) and sin(α − β).
In order to do this we need to know the following results:

sin(−θ) = − sin θ
(x,y)

cos(−θ) = cos θ

θ
O _θ

(x,–y)

and

π
sin(θ) = cos( − θ)
2
π_ − θ
π 2
cos(θ) = sin( − θ).
2
θ

Now
cos(α + β) = cos(α − (−β))

= cos α cos(−β) + sin α sin(−β)

= cos α cos β − sin α sin β

Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 9

π
sin(α + β) = cos[ − (α + β)]
2
π
= cos[( − α) − β]
2
π π
= cos( − α) cos β + sin( − α) sin β
2 2

= sin α cos β + cos α sin β

sin(α − β) = sin(α + (−β))

= sin α cos(−β) + cos α sin(−β)

= sin α cos β − cos α sin β.

These formulae can be used in many different ways.

Examples
1. Simplify sin(a + b) + sin(a − b).

sin(a + b) + sin(a − b) = sin a cos b + cos a sin b + sin a cos b − cos a sin b

= 2 sin a cos b.

2. Prove sin( π2 + θ) = cos θ using the addition formulae.

π π π
sin( + θ) = sin cos θ + cos sin θ
2 2 2

= 1 × cos θ + 0 × sin θ.

= cos θ.

Exercises 4
1. Simplify
a.
sin(A + B) − sin(A − B)
sin A sin B
b.
cos(A + B) + cos(A − B)
cos A cos B
c.
cos(A + B) − cos(A − B)
.
cos A sin B
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 10

2. Prove
a. sin(π − θ) = sin θ
b. cos(π − θ) = − cos θ
π
c. cos( − θ) = sin θ
2
π
d. cos( + θ) = − sin θ.
2
Expressions for tan(A + B) and tan(A − B) follow in a straightforward way. Try to derive
them for yourself first.
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
sin A cos B cos A sin B
cos A cos B
+ cos A cos B
= cos A cos B
cos A cos B
− sin A sin B
cos A cos B

tan A + tan B
= .
1 − tan A tan B

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
sin A cos B
cos A cos B
− cos A sin B
cos A cos B
= cos A cos B sin A sin B
cos A cos B
+ cos A cos B

tan A − tan B
= .
1 + tan A tan B
Summary

tan A + tan B
tan(A + B) = (13)
1 − tan A tan B
tan A − tan B
tan(A − B) = (14)
1 + tan A tan B

Exercises 5
1. Show that
cot α cot β − 1
cot(α + β) = .
cot α + cot β
2π π
2. Setting α = and β = , write down values of tan α, tan β and verify the expres-
3 3
sions for tan(α + β) and tan(α − β).
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 11

5 Double angle formulae

Expressions for the trigonometric functions of 2θ follow very easily from the preceding
formulae.
We shall summarise them and ask you to derive them as an exercise.

sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ (15)

cos 2θ = cos2 θ − sin2 θ (16)

cos 2θ = 2 cos2 θ − 1 (17)

cos 2θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ (18)

2 tan θ
tan 2θ = (19)
1 − tan2 θ
Example
Show cos 2θ = 2 cos2 θ − 1.
cos 2θ = cos(θ + θ)
= cos θ cos θ − sin θ sin θ
= cos2 θ − sin2 θ
= cos2 θ − (1 − cos2 θ)
= 2 cos2 θ − 1.

Exercise Derive the rest of the expressions above.

Example
sin 2θ
Simplify .
1 − cos 2θ
sin 2θ 2 sin θ cos θ
=
1 − cos 2θ 1 − (1 − 2 sin2 θ)
2 sin θ cos θ
=
2 sin2 θ

= cot θ.

Exercises 6
1 + sin( π2 − 2x)
1. Simplify .
1 − sin( π2 − 2x)
1 + cos 2θ
2. Simplify .
sin 2θ
1 + sin A − cos 2A
3. Simplify .
cos A + sin 2A
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 12

6 Applications of the sum, difference, and double an-

gle formulae
A number of relations which are very useful in integration follow from the identities in
sections 4 and 5.
From (17) cos 2θ = 2 cos2 θ − 1 it follows that

1
cos2 θ = (1 + cos 2θ) (20)
2
and from (15) cos 2θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ it follows that

1
sin2 θ = (1 − cos 2θ) (21)
2

These identities are very useful in integration. For example

 
2 1
cos θdθ = (1 + cos 2θ)dθ
2
θ 1
= + sin 2θ + C
2 4
so you need to be expert in using them to simplify expressions.

Example
1
Show that sin2 x cos2 x = (1 − cos 4x).
8
1 1
sin2 x cos2 x = (1 − cos 2x) × (1 + cos 2x)
2 2
1
= (1 − cos2 2x)
4
1 1
= (1 − (1 + cos 4x))
4 2
1 1 1
= ( − cos 4x)
4 2 2
1
= (1 − cos 4x).
8

Exercises 7
Simplify
1. cos4 3θ

2. sin4 θ.
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 13

We showed earlier that sin(A + B) + sin(A − B) = 2 sin A cos B, so

1
sin A cos B = (sin(A + B) + sin(A − B)).
2
Obtain similar expressions for sin A sin B, and cos A cos B by using the expressions for
cos(A + B) and cos(A − B). These relationships are also useful in integration.

Summary
1
sin A cos B = (sin(A + B) + sin(A − B)) (22)
2
1
cos A sin B = (sin(A + B) − sin(A − B)) (23)
2
1
cos A cos B = (cos(A + B) + cos(A − B)) (24)
2
1
sin A sin B = (cos(A − B) − cos(A + B)) (25)
2
Example

Find sin 6x cos 2xdx.

1
sin 6x cos 2x = (sin 8x + sin 4x)dx
2
1 1
= − cos 8x − cos 4x + C
16 8
Exercises 8
Express as sums or differences the following products:
1. sin 7x cos 3x
2. cos 8x cos 2x
3. cos 6x sin 5x
4. sin 4x sin 2x.

7 Self assessment
sin θ csc θ
1. Simplify .
sin2 θ + cos2 θ
sin θ + sin θ tan2 θ
2. Simplify .
tan θ
3π
3. Simplify sin( + θ).
2
4. Verify cos4 θ − sin4 θ = cos 2θ.
sin(A + B) + sin(A − B)
5. Verify = tan A cot B.
sin(A + B) − sin(A − B)
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 14

8 Solutions to exercises
Pretest
π 3π 3π
1. a. b. c.
3 4 2

2. a. 45◦ b. −270◦ c. 360◦

3. a. 1 b. 0 c. −1

d. − 12 e. 1
2
f. 0

4. A graph of the function y = cos x.

1.00

-3.00 -2.00 -1.00 1.00 2.00 3.00

-1.00

Exercises 1

1. a. cos x b. cot θ c. sin x

Exercises 2

1. a. sin x cos x b. 1 c. 2 + 2 tan θ

Exercises 3
d
1. cot x = − csc2 x
dx
d
2. sec x = sec x tan x
dx
d
3. csc x = − csc x cot x
dx
Exercises 4

1. a. 2 cot A b. 2 c. −2 tan A

Exercises 5
√ √
2. tan α = − 3 and tan β = 3
Mathematics Learning Centre, University of Sydney 15

Exercises 6
1. a. cot2 x b. cot θ c. tan A

Exercises 7
1
1. (3 + 4 cos 6θ + cos 12θ)
8
1
2. (3 − 4 cos 2θ + cos 4θ)
8
Exercises 8
1
1. (sin 10x + sin 4x)
2
1
2. (cos 10x + cos 6x)
2
1
3. (sin 11x − sin x)
2
1
4. (cos 2x − cos 6x)
2
Self assessment
sin θ csc θ
1. =1
sin2 θ + cos2 θ
1
Use csc θ = and sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1.
sin θ
sin θ + sin θ tan2 θ
2. = sec θ
tan θ
sin θ 1
Use 1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ, tan θ = and sec θ = .
cos θ cos θ
3π
3. sin( + θ) = − cos θ
2
3π 3π
Use sin = −1 and cos = 0.
2 2
4.

cos4 θ − sin4 θ = (cos2 θ − sin2 θ)(cos2 θ + sin2 θ)

= cos 2θ × 1
= cos 2θ.

5.
sin(A + B) + sin(A − B) 2 sin A cos B
=
sin(A + B) − sin(A − B) 2 cos A sin B

= tan A cot B.
Mathematics Learning Centre
T +61 2 9351 4061
F +61 2 9351 5797
E mlc.enquiries@sydney.edu.au
sydney.edu.au/mlc

Mathematics
Learning Centre

Produced by UPS, the University of Sydney, January 2010.

The University reserves the right to make alterations to any information
contained within this publication without notice.

ABN 15 211 513 464

CRICOS 00026A