PART I: TRIGONOMETRY

Module 9

TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

An equation is an expression of equality

INTENDED LEARNING
which is true for one or more values of the
OUTCOMES
unknown quantity or quantities. Mathematical
At the end of the lesson, the formulas are expressed as equations, and these
students must be able to: may be divided into definitions, conditional
equations and identities.
(a) Gain understanding of
In a definition, a quantity is equated with
trigonometric identities;
an expression showing how the value of that
(b) Develop skills in manual
quantity may be obtained. For example, definition
computations, calculator and
of the natural trigonometric functions.
computer operation; and
(c) Find interest in learning the When these equality is expressed such that
lessons. it is satisfied by certain values of the unknown
quantity or quantities, it is called a conditional
equation. These can be determined through
identities and algebraic methods.
Examples: 1) 3x + 5 = x -7
2) x2 = 25
3) sin 4A = cos 5A
Each of these equations can only be satisfied by certain values of x or A.
When the equality is true for all values of the unknown quantity or quantities, it is called an
identity.
Examples: 1) 3(x-4) = 3x – 12
2) (a+b)(a-b) = a2 – b2
3) (a+b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
In these the two members of the equation are identical except in form. When both members involve
trigonometric functions of one or more angles, so that they are equal for all values of the angles, we
have a trigonometric identity.

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Some Trigonometric Identities and Formulas
1 1 cos ⱺ
sin ⱺ =
csc ⱺ
sin2 ⱺ + cos2 ⱺ =1 cot ⱺ = =
tan ⱺ sin ⱺ
1
cos ⱺ =
sec ⱺ
tan2 ⱺ + 1 = sec2 ⱺ

1 sin ⱺ
tan ⱺ = =
cot ⱺ cos ⱺ
cot2 ⱺ + 1 = csc2 ⱺ

tan x ± tan y
sin (x ± y) = sin x cos y ± cos x sin y tan (x ± y) =
1∓ tan x tan y
cos (x ± y) = cos x cos y ∓ sin x sin y

sin
ⱺ
2
=
√
1−cos ⱺ
2
1 1
∨¿ sin2 ⱺ = − cos 2ⱺ
2 2
= 1
2
¿ⱺ)

cos
ⱺ
2
=
√
1+cos ⱺ
2
1 1
∨¿ cos2 ⱺ = + cos 2ⱺ
2 2
= 1
2
¿ ⱺ)

tan
ⱺ
2
=±
√
1−cos ⱺ
1+cos ⱺ
∨¿ tan2 ⱺ =
1−cos 2 ⱺ
1+cos 2 ⱺ

sin 2ⱺ = 2sinⱺ cos ⱺ

cos 2ⱺ = cos2 ⱺ - sin2 ⱺ
= 2cos2 ⱺ - 1

= 1 – 2sin2 ⱺ
2 tan ⱺ
tan 2ⱺ=¿ 1−tan2 ⱺ

a b c
Law of Sines:
sin A
=¿
sin B
= sin C

Law of Cosines: a2 = b2 + c2 - 2bc cos A

b2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab cos B
c2 = a2 + b2 - 2ab cos C
Pythagorean Theorem: c2 = a2 + b2

IMPORTANCE OF IDENTITIES

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 By means of identities, it is possible to prove other identities, and hence, to change an
expression involving trigonometric functions into a different but equivalent form more suitable for
the purpose at hand. Many equations in mathematics, physics, chemistry and other sciences involve
more than one trigonometric function of an unknown angle, and before the angle can be calculated,
the number of functions can be reduced to one through identities.

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

Simplify the following into one function:

1) 2 sin A = 3 cos A
Solution:
Divide both sides by 2 cos A

2 sin A 3 cos A
2cos A = 2 cos A

sin A 3
cos A = 2

3
tan A = 2

2) 24 tan A cos A = 11
Solution:
sin A
Replace tan A by
cos A
24 tan A cos A = 11
sin A
24 cos A = 11
cos A
24 sin A = 11
11
sin A =
24

3) 7 sin A csc A cos A = 3

Solution:
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 1
Replace csc A by sin A

7 sin A csc A cos A = 3

1
7 sin A cos A = 3
sin A
7 cos A = 3
3
cos A =
7
5
4) 9 tan A =
cos A
Solution:
sin A
Replace tan A by cos A

5
9 tan A =
cos A

sin A 5
9 cos A = cos A

9 sin A = 5
5
sin A =
9
1
5) = 25 cos A
sin A sec A
Solution:
1
Replace sec A by cos A

1
= 25 cos A
sin A sec A
1
1 = 25 cos A
sin A
cos A
cos A
= 25 cos A
sin A
Cross multiply:
cos A
= 25 sin A
cos A
cos A
25 sin A=
cos A

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25 sin A=1

1
sin A =
25

6) cot A – 4 tan A = -3
Solution:

1
Replace tan A by
cot A

cot A – 4 tan A = -3

1
cot A – 4 = -3
cot A

cot2 A – 4 = -3 cot A

cot2 A + 3 cot A – 4 = 0

1
7)
tan A csc A
Solution:

sin A 1
Replace tan A by cos A ¿ csc A by sin A

1
1
tan A csc A = sin A
.
1
cos A sin A

= cos A

8) cos2 A sec A tan A

Solution:

sin A 1
Replace tan A by cos A ¿ sec A by cos A

1 sin A
cos2 A sec A tan A = cos2 A . cos A . cos A

= sin A

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PROVING A TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITY
No general method of proving an identity can be given. A few suggestions, however, will be
of great help.
1. A simplest method of proving a trigonometric identity is to substitute the proper defintions or
ratios for the functions themselves and to reduce both sides to identity through the
simplification of fractions by means of a least common denominator (LCD).

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

1. Prove cot2 A sin A + sin A = csc A

Solution:

a2
o2
. o
h
+ o
h
= h
0
2
a o h
oh + h = 0

Multiplying each term of both members by the LCD oh:

2
a o h
[ oh + h = 0 ] oh
a
2
+ o 2 = h2 (Pythagorean Theorem)

2. Oftentimes, we can refer to formulas already proven.

a) the left side may be reduced to the right side, or
b) the right to the left, or
c) both sides to the same expression

Example 2. Prove sin A sec A = tan A

Solution:
Reducing left side (more complicated) to right:
sin A sec A = tan A
1
sin A . = tan A
cos A
sin A
= tan A
cos A
tan A = tan A

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 cot A +tan B
Example 3: Prove =cot A tan B
cot B+ tan A
Solution:
Reducing both to the same expression through the co-function relations:
cot A +tan B
=cot A tan B
cot B+ tan A
cot A+cot A
=cot A cot A
tan A+ tan A
2 cot A
=cot A cot A
2 tan A
cot A
=cot A cot A
tan A
1
cot A . =cot A cot A
tan A
cot A cot A = cot A cot A

Example 4: Prove cot A cos A + sin A = csc A

Solution:
Reducing to sines and cosines:
cot A cos A + sin A = csc A

cos A 1
sin A
.
cos A + sin A =
sin A
Multiplying each term by the LCD = sin A:
1
.
¿ cos A + sin A =
sin A ] sin A
cos2 A + sin2 A = 1 (Pythagorean relations)

COMPOUND ANGLES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

The values of the functions are not proportional to the sizes of the angles, so that sin 2A is not
equal to 2 sin A, nor is sin (A+B) equal to sin A + sin B. The functions of such compound angles,
however, can be expressed in terms of functions of their component angles, so that sin 2A can be
expressed as functions of A, and sin (A+B) in terms of functions of A and B. These relations though
seemingly impractical are very important in the solution of certain equations and the simplification
of complex formulas, particularly in the trigonometric portions of Calculus.

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Addition and Subtraction Formulas for Sines, Cosines and Tangents
Let A and B be adjacent angles of any magnitude forming a compound angle in standard
position in a unit (radius=1) circle.
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
sin (A - B) = sin A cos B - cos A sin B

sin (x ± y) = sin x cos y ± cos x sin y

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

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

cos (x ± y) = cos x cos y ∓ sin x sin y

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

tan A−tan B
tan (A - B) =
1+ tan A tan B

tan x ± tan y
tan (x ± y) =
1∓ tan x tan y

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

Example 1. Find cos 150 without using the tables or calculator.

Solution: cos 150 = cos (450 –300)
cos (A - B) = cos A cos B +¿ sin A sin B
cos (450 – 300) = cos 450 cos 300 +¿ sin 450 sin 300

cos (450 – 300) =

1
. √3 + 1
. 1
√2 2 √2 2

=
√3+ 1
2 √2

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Example 2. Find tan 750 without using the tables or calculator.
Solution: tan 750 = tan (300 + 450)
tan A+ tan B
tan (A + B) =
1−tan A tan B
0 0
tan 30 + tan 45
tan (300 + 450) =
1−tan30 0 tan 450
1
+1
tan (30 + 45 ) = =
0 0 √ 3
1
1− (1)
√3
1+ √ 3
tan (300 + 450) = =
√3
√ 3−1
√3
1+ √ 3
tan (300 + 450) =
√3−1

3 −5
Example 3. Given sin A = (2Q), sin B = (3Q), evaluate sin (A + B)
5 13
Solution:
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
−4 −12
Through the Pythagorean Theorem and SuCriTa, cos A =
5
, cos B =
5
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
3 −12 −4 −5
=( ¿ ( ¿+( ¿( ¿
5 13 5 13
−36 20
=( ¿+ ( ¿
65 65
−16
=
65
Double Angle Formulas
Replacing B with A in the addition and subtraction formulas:
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
sin (A + A) = sin A cos A + cos A sin A

sin 2A = 2 sin A cos A

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

cos 2A = cos2 A - sin2 A

If sin2 A + cos2 A = 1
sin2 A = 1 - cos2 A
Then:

cos 2A = cos2 A - (1-cos2 A)

cos 2A = 2cos2 A - 1

If sin2 A + cos2 A = 1
cos2 A = 1 - sin2 A
Then:

cos 2A = (1-sin2 A) - sin2 A)

cos 2A = 1 – 2sin2 A
tan A+ tan B
tan (A + B) =
1−tan A tan B

tan A+ tan A
tan (A + A) =
1−tan A tan A

2 tan A
tan 2A = 2
1−tan A

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

Example 1. Verify cos 600 in terms of sin 300 .

Solution: cos 2A = 1 – 2 sin2 A
cos 600 = 1 – 2 sin2 300
1
= 1 – 2 ( )2
2
2 1
=1- = (which is cos 600)
4 2

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 4
Example 2. Find cos 2A, given sin A = (1Q) .
9
Solution: cos 2A = 1 – 2 sin2 A
4
cos 2A = 1 – 2 ( )2
9
32 49
cos 2A = 1 - =
81 81

Example 3. Find tan 2A, given tan A =

√7 .
3
2 tan A
Solution: tan 2A = 2
1−tan A

2(
√7 )
3
tan 2A = 2
√7
1−( )
3
2√7
3
tan 2A =
7
1−
9
2 √7
3
tan 2A =
2
9
2√ 7 9
tan 2A = .
3 2
tan 2A = 3 √ 7

2
Example 4. Given cos A = , find cos 4A .
3
Solution: cos 2A = 2 cos2 A - 1
2
cos 2A = 2 ( )2 - 1
3
8 −1
cos 2A = −1= (2nd Q)
9 9

cos 4A = 2 cos2 2A - 1
−1 2
cos 4A = 2 ( ) -1
9

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 2 −79
cos 4A = −1= (3rd Q)
81 81

Example 5. Given tan A =

√13 , find sec 4A .
6
7
Solution: If tan A =
√13 , then cos A = 6
6 7
A
6
cos 2A = 2 ( )2 - 1 6
7
72 −23
cos 2A = −1=
49 49

cos 4A = 2 cos2 2A - 1
−23 2
cos 4A = 2 ( ) -1
49
529 −1343
cos 4A = 2( ¿−1= (2nd Q)
2401 2401

1
1 −2401
sec 4A = =¿ −1343 =
cos 4 A 1343
2401

Half - Angle Formulas

We can write the double angle formulas with members interchanged.

Example: cos 2A = 1 – 2sin2 A

1 – 2sin2 A = cos 2A
Or equivalently:
A
1 – 2sin2 2 = cos A

we now have the substance of the half angle formula. Simplifying we get:
A
2sin2 2 = 1 - cos A

A 1−cos A
sin2 2 = 2
A
sin 2 = ±
√ 1−cos A
2

A
√
cos 2 = ± 1+cos A
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Similarly:

From these: A
tan 2 = ±
1+cos A √ 1−cos A

A
More convenient formulas may be derived for tan :
2
A
tan 2 = ±
1+cos A √
.
1−cos A
1−cos A
= √¿¿¿
√ 1−cos A

By the Pythagorean relation, sin A = √ 1−cos2 A , then

A 1−cos A
tan 2 = sin A

A sin A
Similarly: tan 2 = 1+ cos A

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

Example 1. Verify cos 300 through cos 600 .

Solution: cos
A
2
= ±
2 √
1+cos A

600
√
0
cos = ± 1+cos 60
2 2

√
0
cos 300 = ± 1+cos 60
2
squaring both sides:

1+ cos 600
cos 30 =
2 0
2
1
1+ 3
cos 30 =
2 0
2 =
4
2

cos 300 =
√ 3
4
=√
2
3

3
Example 2. Given cos 2A = , find sin A .
8

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 1−cos 2 A
Solution: sin2 A =
2
3
1− 5
sin A =
2
8 = 16
2

sin A =
√ 5
16
=√
4
5

7
Example 3. Given cos 4A = , find sin A .
18
1+ cos 4 A
Solution: cos2 2 A =
2
7
1+ 25
cos 2 A =
2
18 =
36
2

cos 2 A =
√ 25
36
5
= 6

1−cos 2 A
sin2 A = 2
5
1− 1
sin A =
2
6 =
12
2

sin A =
√ √ 1
12
= 1
4.3
1
=2
√ 1
3
1
= 2
√ 1 3 1
. =
3 3 2 √ 3
9
1 1
= 2 .3 √3

sin A = 6 √ 3 = √
1 3
6

23
Example 4. Given cos 4X = , find tan X .
49
1+ cos 4 x
Solution: cos2 2 x=
2
23
1+ 72 36
cos 2 x=
2
49 = =
98 49
2

√6
cos 2 x= 36 = 7
49

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 1+ cos 2 X
cos2 X = 2
6
1+ 13
cos X =
2
7 =
14
2

√ √ 13
13 X
cos X = =
14 √14
Therefore:

= √
1 13
tan X =
√13 13

Products of Sines and Cosines

In dealing with trigonometric identities, particularly in techniques of integration in Calculus, t
is often necessary to express the product of sines and cosines as a sum or difference, or vice-versa.
Therefore, it would be convenient to develop formulae that will show these relationships.
By the addition and subtraction formulas for sines and cosines, we have
sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B
sin (A - B) = sin A cos B - cos A sin B
Adding these two formulas we obtain:
sin (A + B) + sin (A - B) = 2 sin A cos B
Subtracting the same two formulas we obtain:
sin (A + B) - sin (A - B) = 2 cos A sin B
Interchanging the positions of the members of the equation, we get:

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

2 cos A sin B = sin( A +B¿)−sin( A−B) ¿
Similarly from:

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

cos (A - B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B
we obtain: 2 cos A cos B = cos (A + B¿)+ cos( A−B)¿
-2 sin A sin B = cos ( A + B¿)−cos (A−B) ¿

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

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Example 1. Express as the sum or difference of sines or cosines : sin 750 cos 250
Solution:

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

2 sin 750 cos 250 = sin(75 0+ 250 ¿ )+ sin(750 −250 )¿
1
= 2¿

Example 2. Express as the sum or difference of sines or cosines : sin 400 sin 300
Solution:

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

-2 sin 400 sin 300 = cos (40 0+30 0 ¿)−cos( 400 −300 )¿
−1
= 2 ¿

Example 3. Evaluate cos 52.50 cos 7.50

Solution:

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

2 cos 52.50 cos 7.50= cos (52.50 +7.50 ¿ )+cos( 52.50−7.50 )¿
1
= 2¿

Sum or Difference of Two Sines or Cosines

From the previous discussion we have

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

Let A + B = X
A–B=Y

1
Then 2A = X + Y or A= (X + Y)
2
1
2B = X - Y or A= (X - Y)
2
1 1
Thus: sin X + sin Y = 2 sin (X + Y) cos (X + Y)
2 2
And this may be equivalently written as :

1 1
sin A + sin B = 2 sin 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B) ¿
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 1 1
sin A - sin B = 2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿)sin 2 ( A−B)¿

1 1
cos A + cos B = 2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B)¿

1 1
cos A - cos B = -2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿) cos 2 ( A−B)¿

EXERCISES/APPLICATIONS

Example 1. Express as a product : sin 680 + sin 200

Solution:
1 1
sin A + sin B = 2 sin 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B) ¿

1 0 0 1 0 0
sin 680 + sin 200 = 2 sin 2 (68 +20 ¿ ) cos 2 (68 −20 )¿

1 0 1
= 2 sin 2 (88 )cos 2 ¿

= 2 sin 44 0 cos 240

Example 2. Express as a product : cos 850 - cos 430
Solution:
1 1
cos A - cos B = -2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B)¿

1 0 0 1 0 0
cos 850 - cos 430 = -2 cos 2 (85 + 43 ¿ )cos 2 (85 −43 ) ¿

1 0 1
= -2 cos 2 (128 ) cos 2 ¿

= -2 cos 64 0 cos 210

Example 3. Express as a product : cos 790 - sin 640

Solution:
Since there is no formula for cos A – sin B, we must change sin 640 to its co-function cos 260.
Hence,
1 1
cos A - cos B = -2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B)¿

1 0 0 1 0 0
cos 790 - cos 260 = -2 cos 2 (79 +26 ¿ )cos 2 (79 −26 )¿

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 1 0 1
= -2 cos 2 (105 ) cos 2 ¿

= -2 cos 52.50 cos 26.50

Example 4. Simplify cos 440 + sin 140

Solution:
Since there is no formula for cos A + sin B, we must change sin 140 to its co-function cos 760.
Hence,
1 1
cos A + cos B = 2 cos 2 ( A+ B¿)cos 2 ( A−B) ¿

1 0 0 1 0 0
cos 790 - cos 260 = 2 cos 2 (44 +76 ¿)cos 2 ( 44 −76 )¿

1 0 1
= 2 cos 2 (120 ) cos 2 ¿

= 2 cos 600 cos ¿)

EVALUATION

1. Simplify to a single function the following:

a. sec A – sin A tan A

b. cot A cos A + sin A

sin2 A cot A
c. tan A
tan A cot A +1
d. cos A
2
cos A tan A csc A
e. cot A
2 2
sin A sec
f. cos A csc A
2. Prove that:
a. sec A = cos A (tan2 A + 1)
2
cos A
b . 1+sin A=
1−sin A
c . cos A ¿

d . sin2 A+ cos2 A +cot2 A=csc 2 A

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 3. Evaluate the following without using a trigonometric table and calculator:

a. sin 750
b. cos 900
c. tan 150
d. sin 900
e. cos 150

3 12
4. Given tan A = and cos B = (both 1Q), find:
4 13

a. sin (A + B)
b. tan (A - B)
c. cos (A + B)
d. sin (A - B)
e. cos (A - B)

5. Solve the following:

1
a. cos A = , find cos 2A
3
1
b. sin A = , find cos 2A
7
3
c. tan A = , find cos 2A
4
4
d. csc A = , find sin 2A
3
9
e. sec A = , find sec 2A
8
6. Express as a sum or difference of sines or cosines the following:
a. cos 280 cos 460
b. sin 500 cos 120
c. sin 760 sin 360
d. sin 500 cos 120
e. cos 290 sin 350

7. Express as products the following:

f. cos 280 + cos 460
g. sin 500 + cos 120
h. sin 760 - sin 360
i. sin 500 + cos 120
j. cos 290 - sin 350

SUGGESTED READINGS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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Applications of Double Angle and Half-Angle Formulas
Trigonometric identities not included in this module

REFERENCES

Reyes, E. 1979. Plane Trigonometry. Cacho Hermanos Inc., Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.

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