LESSON 14 - Trigonometry (2)

Main Video

1. Trigonometric Identities

Now that we know the definitions of the trigonometric functions, and have a clear understanding how they behave as an
angle changes, we can explore the relationships that exist between them.

A trigonometric identity is an equation involving trigonometric functions that can be solved by any angle. Trigonometric
identities have less to do with evaluating functions at specific angles than they have to do with relationships between
functions. Eight specific trigonometric identities are fundamental. These can be used to form an infinite number of other
identities. We'll take a look at the eight fundamental trigonometric identities, and then some additional identities
concerning negative angles (angles in which the rotation between the initial and terminal side is clockwise). Using the
identities we'll learn, we can manipulate trigonometric expressions and simplify them if they're complicated. Finally, we'll
review what we know so far of trigonometry before we move on to study how to solve triangles and trigonometric
equations.

The following equations are eight of the most basic and important trigonometric
identities. These equations are true for any angle. From them, countless additional
identities can be formed. These eight should be memorized.

   
csc(θ) =

   
sec(θ) =

   
cot(θ) =

   
tan(θ) =

   
cot(θ) =

(sin(θ))2 + (cos(θ))2 = 1    

1 + (tan(θ))2 = (sec(θ))2    

 1 + (cot(θ))2 = (csc(θ))2

2. Additional Trigonometric Identities

Using the eight fundamental identities and the six negative angle identities, an infinite number of new identities can be
created. Remember, a trigonometric identity is any equation involving trigonometric functions and which is true for any
angle.

Study how to prove that the following equation is an identity by simplifying it using the
eight fundamental identities:

   
tan(θ)cos(θ) + = sin(θ) + (csc(θ))2cos(θ) - cot(θ)sin(θ)

   
+ = sin(θ) + -

   
sin(θ) + = sin(θ) + - cos(θ)

   
(cot(θ))2cos(θ) = cos(θ)( - 1)

(cot(θ))2cos(θ) = cos(θ)((csc(θ))2 - 1)    

(cot(θ))2cos(θ) = cos(θ)(cot(θ))2    

In general, it is helpful to follow these steps to simplify a potential identity:

1. Express everything in terms of sine and cosine.

2. Cancel all terms possible.
3. Rewrite the remaining expressions using as few trigonometric expressions as possible (this will likely
involve converting sines and cosines to tangents, secants, etc.)
4. Factor anything that will result in one of the addition identities.

In following these steps, as we did in the example above, simplifying most equations will become easy.
2. Conditional Equations
Trigonometric equations can be broken into two categories: identities and conditional equations. Identities are true for any
angle, whereas conditional equations are true only for certain angles. Identities can be tested, checked, and created using
knowledge of the eight fundamental identities. We already discussed these processes in Trigonometric Identities . The
following explains how to solve conditional equations.

When solving a conditional equation, a general rule applies: if there is one solution, then there are an infinite number of
solutions. This strange truth results from the fact that the trigonometric functions are periodic, repeating every 360
degrees or 2Π radians. For example, the values of the trigonometric functions at 10 degrees are the same as they are at
370 degrees and 730 degrees. The form for any answer to a conditional equation is θ +2nΠ , where θ is one solution to
the equation, and n is an integer. The shorter and more common way to express the solution to a conditional equation is
to include all the solutions to the equation that fall within the bounds [0, 2Π) , and to omit the " +2nΠ " part of the solution.
since it is assumed as part of the solution to any trigonometric equation. Because the set of values from 0 to 2Π contains
the domain for all six trigonometric functions, if there is no solution to an equation between these bounds, then no solution
exists.

Solutions for trigonometric equations follow no standard procedure, but there are a number of techniques that may help in
finding a solution. These techniques are essentially the same as those used in solving algebraic equations, only now we
are manipulating trigonometric functions: we can factor an expression to get different, more understandable expressions,
we can multiply or divide through by a scalar, we can square or take the square root of both sides of an equation, etc.
Also, using the eight fundamental identities, we can substitute certain functions for others, or break a functions down into
two different ones, like expressing tangent using sine and cosine. In the problems below, we'll see just how helpful some
of these techniques can be.

problem1
2 cos(x) - 1 = 0    

2 cos(x) = 1    

   
cos(x) =

   
x= ,

In this problem, we came up with two solutions in the range [0, 2Π) : x = , and x = . By adding 2nΠ to either of
these solutions, where n is an integer, we could have an infinite number of solutions.

problem2
sin(x) = 2 cos2(x) - 1    

sin(x) = 2(1 - sin2(x)) - 1    

 sin(x) = 1 - 2 sin2(x)    

2 sin2(x) + sin(x) - 1 = 0    

(sin(x) + 1)(2 sin(x) - 1) = 0    

At this point, after factoring, we have two equations we need to deal with separately. First, we'll solve (sin(x) + 1) = 0 , and
then we'll solve (2 sin(x) - 1) = 0

problem2a
sin(x) + 1 = 0    

sin(x) = - 1    

   
x=

2 sin(x) - 1 = 0    

   
sin(x) =

   
x= ,

For the problem, then, we have three solutions: x = , , . All of them check. Here is one more problem.

problem3
sec2(x) + cos2(x) = 2    

1 + tan2(x) + 1 - sin2(x) = 2    

tan2(x) = sin2(x)    

    
= sin2(x)

cos2(x) = 1    

cos(x) = ±1    

x = 0, Π

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION:

Q1. Prove the following identity: tan(θ)cos(θ) = sin(θ)

Ans.
tan(θ)cos(θ) = sin(θ)    

   
= sin(θ)

sin(θ) = sin(θ)    

Q2. Prove the following identity: (sin(θ))4 +2(sin(θ))2(cos(θ))2 + (cos(θ))4 = tan(θ)cot(θ)

Ans.
(sin(θ))4 +2(sin(θ))2(cos(θ))2 + (cos(θ))4 = tan(θ)cot(θ)    

   
(sin(θ))4 +2(sin(θ))2(cos(θ))2 + (cos(θ))4 =

(sin(θ))4 +2(sin(θ))2(cos(θ))2 + (cos(θ))4 = 1    

((sin(θ))2 + (cos(θ))2)((sin(θ))2 + (cos(θ))2) = 1    

 (1)(1) = 1

Q3. Solve the following equation: cos(x) - tan (x) = 1 .

2

Ans. Using the identity 1 + tan2(x) = sec2(x) , the equation cos3(x) = 1 results. Therefore cos(x) = 1 , and x = 0

Q4. Solve the following equation: sin(x) + sin(x)cot2(x) = sec2(x) - tan2(x) .

Ans. Factoring on the right side and the use of identities leads to the equations sin(x) = 1 . Therefore, x =