Double-Angle

Identities
 Objective

Evaluate and simplify expressions by

using double-angle identities.
You can use sum identities to derive the
double-angle identities

sin 2𝜃 = sin(𝜃 + 𝜃)

sin 2𝜃 = sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 + cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃

sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
You can derive the double-angle identities for cosine and
tangent in the same way.

There are three forms of the identity for cos 2𝜃, which are
derived by using sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 1.

It is common to rewrite expressions as functions of 𝜃 only.

Example 1: Evaluating Expressions with Double-Angle Identities
2
Find s𝑖𝑛 2𝜃 and tan 2𝜃 if sin 𝜃 = and 0° < θ < 90°.
5
Step 1 : Find cos 𝜃 to evaluate sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃.

(Method 1 : Use the reference angle)

2
In Quadrant l, 0° < θ < 90°, and sin 𝜃 =
5
𝑥 2 + 22 = 52 Use the Pythagorean Theorem
𝑥 = 25 − 4 Solve for x.
𝑥 = 21 r=5
y=2
21
𝜃
cos 𝜃 = x
5
Example 1 continued… Method 2 : Solve cos 2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃

cos 2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃

2 2
2 Substitute for sin θ.
cos 𝜃 = 1− 5
5

cos 𝜃 = 1−
4 Simplify
25

21
cos 𝜃 =
5
Example 1 continued…

Step 2 : Find sin 2𝜃.

sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 Apply the identity for sin 2θ.

2 21 2
Substitute for sinθ and
21
for cosθ .
sin 2𝜃 = 2 5 5
5 5

4 21 Simplify
sin 2𝜃 =
25
Example 1 continued…
2tanθ
Step 3 : Find tan θ to evaluate tan 2θ = .
1−tan2 θ
sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
Apply the tangent ratio identity.

2
tan 𝜃 = 5 2 21
21 Substitute for sinθ and for cosθ .
5 5
5
2
tan 𝜃 =
21

2 21
tan 𝜃 = Simplify
21
Example 1 continued…
2tanθ
Step 4 : Find tan 2θ using
1−tan2 θ
2tanθ
Apply the identity for tan 2θ. tan 2𝜃 =
1 − tan2 θ

2 21
2
2 21 tan 𝜃 = 21
Substitute for tanθ. 2
21 2 21
1−
21

4 21 4 21
4 21
Simplify. tan 𝜃 = 21 = 21 =
4 17 17
1−
21 21
Caution!

The signs of x and y depend on the quadrant for angle 𝜃.

sin cos
Quadrant l + +
Quadrant ll + –
Quadrant lll – –
Quadrant lV – +
Example 2: Evaluating Expressions with Double-Angle Identities
1
Find tan 2𝜃 and cos 2𝜃 if cos 𝜃 = and 270° < θ < 360°.
3
2tanθ
Step 1 : Find tan 𝜃 to evaluate tan 2𝜃 =
1−tan2 θ
(Method 1 : Use the reference angle)
1
In Quadrant lV, 2700° < θ < 360°, and cos 𝜃 =
3
12 + 𝑦 2 = 32 Use the Pythagorean Theorem
𝑦 = 9−1 Solve for y. x=1
θ
𝑦= 8
r=3
tan 𝜃 = − 2 2 y= –2√ 2
Example 2 continued…

Step 2 : Find tan 2𝜃.

2tanθ
tan 2𝜃 = Apply the identity for tan 2θ.
1 − tan2 θ
2(− 2 2) Substitute − 2 2 for tanθ.
tan 2𝜃 =
1 − (− 2 2)2
−4 2 −4 2
tan 2𝜃 = =
1−8 1−8

4 2
tan 2𝜃 = Simplify
7
Example 2 continued…
Step 3 : Find cos 2θ.

cos 2𝜃 = 2 cos 2 𝜃 − 1 Apply the identity for cos 2θ.

2
1
cos 2𝜃 = 2 −1 1
Substitute for cosθ.
3 3

1
cos 2𝜃 = 2 −1
9
2
cos 2𝜃 = −1
9
−7
cos 2𝜃 = Simplify
9
Proving identities with Double-Angle Identities

You can use double-angle identities

to prove trigonometric identities.
Prove each identity.
EXAMPLES!

sin 2θ = 2tanθ – 2tanθ sin2θ Choose the right-hand side to modify.

= 2tanθ (1– sin2θ) Factor 2 tan θ.

= 2tanθ cos2θ Rewrite using 1 –sin2θ = cos2θ.

= 2(tanθcosθ)cosθ Regroup.

= 2sinθcosθ Rewrite using tanθcosθ = sinθ.

= sin2θ Apply the identity for sin2θ.

Prove each identity.
EXAMPLES!

cos 2θ = (2 - sec2θ) (1 - sin2θ) Choose the right-hand side to modify.

= (2 - sec2θ) (cos2θ) Rewrite using 1 –sin2θ = cos2θ.

= 2cos2θ - 1 Expand and simplify.

= cos2θ Apply the identity for cos2θ.

Helpful Hint
Choose to modify either the left side or the
right side of an identity.
Do not work on both sides at once.
 Prove each identity.
EXAMPLES!

cos4θ - sin4θ = cos2θ Choose the left-hand side to modify.

(cos2θ - sin2θ) (cos2θ + sin2θ) = cos2θ Rewrite using 1 = cos2θ + sin2θ

and cos2θ = cos2θ – sin2θ.

1 (cos2θ) = cos2θ Simplify.

cos2θ = cos2θ
Prove each identity.
EXAMPLES!

2tanθ
sin 2𝜃 = Choose the right-hand side to modify.
1 + tan2 θ
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ Rewrite tanθ ratio identity and
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ Pythagorean identity.
sin 2𝜃 =
sec 2 θ
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ Reciprocate secθ identity and
sin 2𝜃 = simplify fraction.
1
c𝑜𝑠 2 θ
Prove each identity.
EXAMPLES!

𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ
sin 2𝜃 = Simplify
1
c𝑜𝑠 2 θ
𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
sin 2𝜃 = 2 (c𝑜𝑠 2 θ)
𝑐𝑜𝑠θ

sin 2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛θcosθ

sin 2𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2θ Double-angle identity

Thank you ☺