Chapter 3

Trigonometric
Identities

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3.2

Verifying Identities

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 Example 2: Verifying an identity
Verify that 1 + sec x tan x = sec2 x is an identity.
Solution
We start with the left-hand side, the more complicated
side, and write it in terms of sine and cosine. Our goal is
to get sec2 x as the final simplified expression.

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Example 4: Separating one fraction into

two
Prove that is an identity.
Solution
Rewrite the left-hand side as a difference of two rational
expressions.

It is an identity.
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 Example 6: Verifying an identity
Prove that is an identity.
Solution
Use csc(–t) = –csc t to simplify the left-hand side:

Now look for a way to get the right-hand side of the

original equation equivalent to (cos2 t)/(1 + csc t). Since
sin (t) = sin t, we can write 1 + sin (t) as 1  sin t and
then get cos2 t in the numerator by multiplying by
1 + sin t; (see next slide)
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Example 6: Verifying an identity

Right hand side:

Since both sides of the

equation are equivalent to
the same expression, the
equation is an identity.

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 Strategy for Verifying Identities (1 of 2)
1. Work on one side of the equation (usually the more
complicated side), keeping in mind the expression on
the other side as your goal.
2. Some expressions can be simplified quickly if they are
rewritten in terms of sines and cosines only.
3. To convert one rational expression into another,
multiply the numerator and denominator of the first by
either the numerator or the denominator of the desired
expression.
4. If the numerator of a rational expression is a sum or
difference, convert the rational expression into a sum
or difference of two rational expressions.
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Strategy for Verifying Identities (2 of 2)

5. If a sum or difference of two rational expressions
occurs on one side of the equation, then find a
common denominator and combine them into one
rational expression.
6. Sometimes it is easiest to simplify both sides of the
equation. If each side is equivalent to a third
expression, then the equation is an identity.

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