Summary of topics SC01 Lacd ao, Claudel, Banguilan, Baez

8.2 Exploring the Trigonometric Identities

Trigonometric Identities are identities that involve trigonometric functions of one or more
variables.

Fundamental basic trigonometric identities can be divided into several groups.

First are the reciprocal identities.

1 1 1
sin = sec = cot =

cscΘ cosΘ tanΘ

1 1 1
csc = cos = tan =

sinΘ secΘ cot Θ

Next are the quotient identities.

cosθ sinθ
cot = and tan =

sinΘ cosΘ

Then there are pythagorean identities. These include

cos 2 θ + sin 2 θ = 1

1 + tan 2 θ = sec 2 θ

cot 2 θ + 1 = csc 2 θ

Finally there are the symmetry or odd-even identities.

sin(−θ ) = − sinθ cos(−θ ) = cosθ cot (−θ ) = − cot θ

csc(−θ ) = − cscθ sec(−θ ) = secθ tan(−θ ) = − tanθ

Example 1 : Write secθ tanθ in terms of sinθ and cosθ then simplify.

Solution:

1 sinθ
secθ = and tanθ =

(cosθ cosθ
1 sinθ sinθ
secθ tanθ = [ ][ ]=

cosθ cosθ cosθ

Page 1 of 3
Summary of topics SC01 Lacd ao, Claudel, Banguilan, Baez

−3 4
Example 2 : find tanθ and cot θ given sinθ = and cosθ =

5 5
−3 4
sinθ 5 −3 cosθ 5 −4
tanθ = = = cot θ = = =

cosθ 4 4 sinθ −3 3
5 5

1
Example 3: Find the values of the other five circular functions given cosθ = and θ
2
terminates in quadrant IV.

1 1
Secθ = = 1 = 2
cosθ
2

2 12 1 3 3
sinθ = − 1 − cos θ = − 1− =− 1− =− =−

2 4 4 2

Use the quotient identity of tanθ to find it.

3
sinθ − 2
tanθ = = =− 3

cosθ 1
2

cot θ and cscθ are reciprocals of tanθ and sinθ. Therefore,

−1 −2
cot θ = cscθ =

3 3

8.3 Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

Advanced mathematics courses deal with more complicated expressions that involve
trigonometric functions. With that said, it’s needed that one simplifies the expressions so that
it’s not as heavy.

There are no formulas to this. Just strategies.

1. Memorizing the fundamental trigonometric identities and be acquainted with

rearrangements of it.

2. When necessary, write all functions in terms of sine and cosine.

3. Use algebraic manipulation and techniques like expanding or factoring, combining

fractions by getting the common denominator or breaking one fraction into two.

Page 2 of 3
Summary of topics SC01 Lacd ao, Claudel, Banguilan, Baez

sin 4 x − cos 4 x
Example 1: simplify the expression

sin 2 x − cos 2 x
sin 4 x − cos 4 x (sin 2 x − cos 2 x)(sin 2 x + cos 2 x)
= = sin 2 x + cos 2 x = 1

sin x − cos x
2 2 sin x − cos x
2 2

Example 2 : Simplify the expression sin 2 x − cos 2 xsin 2 x

sin 2 x − cos 2 xsin 2 x = sin 2 x(1 − cos 2 x) = sin 4 x

sec(x)sin 2 x
Example 3 : Simplify the expression

1 + sec(x)
sec(x)sin 2 x sin 2 x sin 2 x 1 − cos 2 x (1 − cosx)(1 + cosx)
= = = =

1 + sec(x) cosx(1 + sec(x)) cosx + 1 cosx + 1 cosx + 1

= 1 − cosx

Page 3 of 3