Chapter 9: Identifying the Basic Identities 127

Solving Identities Using Reciprocals,

Ratios, and Pythagoras
To solve an identity means to show that, in fact, it is a true statement — that one side
of the equation is equal to the other side of the equation. Many techniques can be
used, but the common thread through all of them is using the proper substitutions.
You have to look at the statement and decide what would work best (that is, most
quickly and efficiently). You won’t always make the best choice — that comes with
practice — but, if you always use a correct substitution and do correct manipulations,
you won’t destroy the truth of the statement. You just may not make it any better. Here
are some examples using better choices.

Q. Show that sin 4 x - cos4 x = 2 sin 2 x - 1 is an sin 4 x - cos4 x = 2 sin2 x - 1

identity. _ sin2 x + cos2 x i_ sin2 x - cos2 x i =
^1h_ sin 2 x - cos2 x i =
A. First, factor the two terms on the left as
the difference of two squares. Then replace sin2 x - cos2 x =
the first factor on the left with 1, using the sin 2 x - _1 - sin2 x i =
Pythagorean identity. Then replace the sin2 x - 1 + sin2 x =
cos2 x using the Pythagorean identity; dis-
tribute and simplify. The two sides match: 2 sin2 x - 1 = 2 sin 2 x - 1

17. Show that sin x ^ csc x - sin x h = cos2 x is an 18. Show that cot 2 x - csc 2 x = -1 is an identity.
identity.
Solve It
Solve It
128 Part III: Trigonometric Identities and Equations

2 csc x - cos x = tan x is an

19. Show that ^1 + tan x h - sec 2 x = 2 tan x is an 20. Show that cos x sin x
identity. identity.

Solve It Solve It

21. Show that tan 2 x - tan2 x sin 2 x = sin2 x is an 22. Show that tan 4 x + 2 tan 2 x + 1 = sec 4 x is an
identity. identity.

Solve It Solve It