MATH 126 Unit 2

Unit 2 Fundamental Identities

2.1 Develop and apply basic identities
2.1.1 Verify identities.
Example: Determine if the equation is an identity. If so, find the domain of validity.
1.

x3 1
= x2 + x +1
x 1

2.

1
= ex +1
x
1 e

Try This: Determine if the equation is an identity. If so, find the domain of validity.
1.

2.1.2

x4 1
= x3 + x2 +1
x 1

1
ex
2.
=
1 ex e x 1

Determine the domain of validity for trig identities.

Example: Determine the domain of validity for each of the following.

1. csc =

1
sin

2. cot =

cos
sin

Try This: Determine the domain of validity for each of the following.
1. sec =

1
cos

2. tan =

sin
cos

2.2 Develop and apply cofunction and odd-even identities

2.2.1 Determine cofunction identities.
Example: Complete each cofunction identity.

1. sin =
2

2. tan =
2

Try This: Complete each cofunction identity.

1. cos =
2. cot =
2

Dr. Paul Kennedy,

8/11/2008

MATH 126 Unit 2

2.2.2

Determine odd-even identities.

Example: Complete each identity.

1. sin( x ) =

2. sec( x ) =

Try This: Complete each identity.

2. csc( x ) =
1. cos( x ) =

2.3 Develop and apply Pythagorean Identities

2.3.1 Develop the Pythagorean Identities.
Example:
1. Derive the Pythagorean Identity: cos 2 + sin 2 = 1 .
2. Divide both sides of the identity 2.3.1E1 by cos 2 to write another identity.

Try This:
1. Divide both sides of the identity in 2.3.1E1 by sin 2 to write another identity.

2.3.2

Apply the Pythagorean Identities.

Example: Use a Pythagorean Identity to solve each problem.

1. Find cos and tan given that sin =0.6 and cos >0.
2. Find sec given that tan =0.4 and sec >0.
Try This: Use a Pythagorean Identity to solve each problem.
1. Find csc and tan given that cos =0.6 and cos >0.
2. Find sec given that tan =1 sec >0.

Dr. Paul Kennedy,

8/11/2008

MATH 126 Unit 2

2.4 Verify Identities

2.4.1 Prove elementary identities.
Example:
1. Use addition and subtraction to rewrite cos 2 + sin 2 = 1 as two other identities.
2. Use addition and subtraction to rewrite cot 2 + 1 = csc 2 as two other identities.

Try this:
1. Use addition and subtraction to rewrite tan 2 + 1 = sec 2 as two other identities.

2.4.2

Prove identities.

Example:
1. Show that

(sec x + 1)(sec x 1)
= sec 2 x .
2
sin x

2. Show that

1 + sin t
cos t
=
.
cos t
1 sin t

3. Show that (1 + tan 2 x)(cos 2 x sin 2 x) = 1 tan 2 x .

Dr. Paul Kennedy,

8/11/2008

MATH 126 Unit 2

Try This:
1. Show that sec 4 x tan 4 x = 2 tan 2 x + 1 .

2. Show that sin 2 x cos 2 x = 1 2 cos 2 x .

3. Show that cos 3 x + cos x sin 2 x = cos x .

Dr. Paul Kennedy,

8/11/2008

MATH 126 Unit 2

2.5 Solve equations

2.5.1 Solve trigonometric equations.
Example: Find all solutions.
1. sin 2 sin cos = 0

2. 2 sin 2 + sin = 1

Try This: Find all solutions.

1. sin tan = sin

2.5.2

2. cot 2 + 2 cot = 1

Use Pythagorean identities to solve trigonometric equations.

Example: Find all solutions.

sin 3
= tan
1.
cos

2. tan + 3 = sec (square each side)

Try This: Find all solutions.

1. sin 2 = cos cos 2

Dr. Paul Kennedy,

2. sin 4 cos 4 = 0

8/11/2008