TRIGONOMETRIC

IDENTITIES and EQUATIONS

7.1 Trigonometric Identities p. 451

7.2 Sum, Difference, and Double-Angle
Identities p. 465
7.3 Proving Trigonometric Identities p. 479
7.4 Trigonometric Equations p. 493

Chapter Review Practice p. 505

7.1 Trigonometric Identities

Welcome to part II of Trigonometry! We’ll now move into trigonometric identities, many basic forms of which
are listed on your formula sheet.
1 Use your graphing calculator to sketch each
of the following trigonometric functions.
Match with the correct graph on the right.
sin

cos
cos

sin

 sin cos Function # _____

Graph in radian mode,

Match your window settings

2 Refer to your formula sheet to determine a trigonometric

identity that applies to each function graphed above. Function # _____
List each here.

3 How do the graphs of both sides of an identity relate?

Function # _____
Warm-up is continued on the next page

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

4 Use your graphing calculator to sketch the graph of cos tan . Visit math30-1edge.com for solutions
Is the curve identical to the graph of sin ? to all warm-ups and class examples

5 Use TRACE on your calculator to input ⁄.

What value of do you get? Explain.

6 Compare the graphs of  cos tan and  sin below.

How are they similar? Different?
 

7 Substitute an equivalent expression for

that will allow to you to simplify .

8 Substitute an equivalent expression for

that will allow to you to simplify .

An identity is an equation that is true for all defined values of the variable in the expressions on
both sides. Therefore if two expressions form an identity, they are equivalent.

For example, is an equation, Whereas, is an identity

which is true when 4 or 2 which is true for all real values of and .

In chapter 6 we encountered some trigonometric identities:

Reciprocal Identities: Quotient Identities:

1 1 1
csc sec

Trigonometric Identities enable us to write the same expression in different ways. It is often possible to rewrite a
complicated expression using a much simpler one. In this section we will:

 Verify identities, both numerically and graphically To simplify trigonometric expression,

 Use algebraic methods to simplify trigonometric a common first step is to write all
expressions or prove identities functions in terms of #$% and &'#.

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 Chapter 7 – Trigonometric Identities and Equations

For the equation: cos , csc , cot ,

Worked
Example (a) Determine any non-permissible values, in radians.
(
(b) Numerically verify that that the equation could be an identify, using , and , 135°.
6
(c) Graphically verify that that the equation could be an identify, over the domain ( 0 , 1 2( .
(d) Simplify the left side of the equation to a single trigonometric expression, equal to the right.
Solutions:
Where on the unit circle is the
(a) For non-permissible values (NPVs), cos , csc , cot ,
-coordinate (“sin,”) equal to 0?
we must restrict any angles , that 1 cos ,
would result in dividing by zero. sin , sin ,
1, 0 1, 0
So, NPV when sin , 0 , 2 0, (, 2( … 5 6 or 5

That is, there is a NPV at 0, then every (

7 2 %5 ; % ∈ :

(b) Evaluate both the left side (L.S.) and cos sin
i Substitute Use the unit circle to evaluate
right side (R.S.) of the equation at π trig ratios for , 5 3 1
, : ⁄; …
6 ,
the given values ,. < 2 2
cos sin
ii Substitute L.S. R.S.
2 2
, 135°: , ( ( (
2 2 cos csc cot
6 6 6
Use the unit circle ?@°
( 1 (
for , 135° … cos
cos 6
6 sin ( (
6 sin is the x-coordinate
6
on the unit circle
3 1 3
· 2 is the y-coordinate
L.S. R.S. 2 1
2 1
1 2 Verify on your calc…
cot 135° 3 2
cos 135° ·
sin 135° 2 1 3 
cos 135°

2 1 sin 135° 3
· 
2 2 2
2 2 Verify on your calc…
2 2 2
· 2 You must be able to verify simplifying exact unit
2 2
1   circle values.
1  (Use your calculator as a second verification)

(c) Graph A L.S. (d) Simplify the left side by

R.S. substituting known identities:


L.S. ,· ,
1
cos , ·
Verify that both the left side and the sin ,
right side yield the same graph.
cos ,
(note how the second graph is
sin ,
sketched “over top” of the first)
Note that both graphs have a vertical asymptote (not shown in the graph CDE 7 (same as R.S.!)
above) at 0, then another every ( (; ∈B
V.A.s at

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

Class Example 7.11 Verifying Trigonometric Identities

tan ,
For the equation: sec ,
sin ,
(a) Determine any non-permissible values, in degrees.
2(
(b) Numerically verify that that the equation could be an identify, using , 30° and ,
.
3
(c) Graphically verify that that the equation could be an identify, over the domain 180° 0 , 1 360°.
(d) Simplify the expression on the right side of the equation to a single trigonometric expression.

Class Example 7.12 Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

cot , sec ,
For the expression
csc ,
(a) Determine any non-permissible values, in radians. (b) Simplify the expression.

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 Chapter 7 – Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Investigation 2 – The Pythagorean Identity

The point P on the right lies on a unit circle.

1 Use your knowledge of the principles of the

unit circle to label the coordinates of G, in H
terms of the angle in standard position, ,.

2 Construct a right triangle by drawing a line segment from G to

the -axis. ,

3 Using the coordinates identified above, label all

three sides of the triangle.

4 Equate the three triangular sides using the

Pythagorean Theorem.

The Pythagorean Identity can be visualized by considering any point G on a unit circle.
Recall that any point G on the unit circle has coordinates
H ,, , cos , , sin , , where , is an angle in standard position whose
1 terminal arm passes through G.
,
, The right triangle formed inside the circle has a hypotenuse of 1,
= , and legs of cos , and sin , .
So by Pythagorean Theorem: cos , sin , 1
Simplifies to: &'# 7 #$% 7

Now whenever we encounter “&'# 7 #$% 7” in a trigonometric expression, we can substitute “ ”

Similarly, we can we can substitute “ &'# 7” with “#$% 7”
And should we encounter “ #$% 7”, we can substitute “&'# 7”

Class Example 7.13 Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

Your formula sheet contains the identity 1 tan , sec ,

(a) Verify the identity using , 60° (b) Show that this is related to the Pythagorean Identity by
dividing both sides by J , and simplifying.

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

Class Example 7.14 Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

Your formula sheet contains the identity 1 , ,

(a) Verify the identity graphically. (b) Divide both sides of the Pythagorean Identity, , , 1,
by ,, to show it is equivalent to 1 , ,.

There are three forms of the Pythagorean Identity. Each is on your formula sheet

&'# 7 #$% 7 KL% 7 #M& 7 &'K 7 &#& 7

We can also re-arrange each of these to get further alternate forms.

, 1 , , J , 1 , , 1
, 1 ,

Class Example 7.15 Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

Simplify each of the following to a single trigonometric function.

(a) cos , tan , sin , (b) cos , sec , cos ,

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 7.1 Practice Questions

1. For each of the following trigonometric equations

i Determine any non-permissible values, in radians.

5(
ii Numerically verify that that the equation could be an identify, using , 30° and ,
.
4
iii Graphically verify that that the equation could be an identify, over the domain 180° 0 , 1 360°.
iv Simplify the more complex side to show that both sides are equivalent.

csc , tan , sec , cos ,

(a) cos , (b) sin ,
sec , tan ,

2. Numerically verify the Pythagorean Identity sin , cos , 1, using , 60°.

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

3. Determine any non-permissible values, in radians, for each of the following expressions.
cos , cot , tan cos , sin ,
(a) (b) (c)
sin , 1 cos tan , 1

sin cos
(d) (e)
2 cos 1 2 sin 1

Answers from previous page

1. (a) i N.P.V.s where cos , 0, sin , 0 iii Graphs look identical,
5 so identity is verified.
72 %; ∈B
Note that at 90°,
L.S. R.S. A is not defined (Point
ii Discontinuity), while
1 sin 30° is. So graphs are
· cos 30 °
sin 30° cos 30° not actually identical!
1
cos 30° 3

2
1 1/2
· 5(
1/2 3⁄2 1 sin ,
Use a similar process with
1 4 iv L.S. : sin , · cos ,
2 1
3⁄2 to get on both sides.
2 cos ,
3
2· 3 3 1 cos ,
Verified!  · &'# 7 
4/3
 cos , 1
2

5 1
(b) i 7 2 %; ∈B ii Substiute , 30° (as shown above) to get on both sides.
2
5( 2
Substitute , to get on both sides.
4 2
iii Graph 1⁄ / 1 cos ,
A 1 cos , cos ,
iv L.S. : cos , cos , ·
sinx sin , cos , sin ,
cos ,
See that graphs are identical, except that
0°, 90°, etc. 1 cos , sin ,
A is undefined at #$% 7 
sin , sin ,
3 1 3 1
2. L.S.: sin 60° cos 60° 1
2 2 4 4

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 Chapter 7 – Trigonometric Identities and Equations

4. sec ,
Given the trigonometric equation sin , ;
tan , cot ,
(a) Determine any non-permissible values, in degrees.
5(
(b) Numerically verify that that the equation could be an identify, using , 60° and ,
.
6
(c) Graphically verify that that the equation could be an identify, over the domain ( 0 , 1 2(.
(d) Simplify the more complex side to show that both sides are equivalent.

5. Simplify each of the following expressions to a single trigonometric function. Use a graphing approach to
verify the given expression is equivalent to its simplified form.
tan
(a) (b) cos , sec , (c) co , tan ,
sec tan , csc ,

Answers from previous page

5 ?5 5
3. (a) 7 2 5% ; ∈ B (b) 2 5% , %5% ; ∈B (c) 7 2 %5 ; ∈B (d) 2 5% ,
and
Q ?
R5 5 @5
(e) 2 5% , 2 5% , 2 %5 ; ∈B 2 5% ; ∈B
< < ?

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

6. Use a Pythagorean Identity to simplify each of the following expressions to its simplest form.
sin sec cos
(a) (b) sin cot cos (c)
1 cos sin

cot sec cos

(d) (e) 1 sin 1 tan (f)
csc sin sec

Answers from previous page

4. (a) 7 2 6°% ; ∈ B 1
(d) L.S. : cos ,
sin , cos ,
(b) Substitute , 60° to get 3/2 on both sides, cos , sin ,
5(
subst. , to get 1/2 on both sides. 1
6 cos ,
sin , cos ,
(c) Graph A 1⁄ / 1/ cos , sin , cos , sin ,
1 cos , sin ,
Graphs are identical, except that A is undefined × #$% 7 
cos , sin , cos ,
(point discontinuity) at 0, ⁄ , (, …. etc

5. (a) Simplifies to: TUV (b) Simplifies to: CDE 7 (c) Simplifies to: TUV 7
For each, graph A Each given expression, Simplified form to confirm graphs appear identical

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 Chapter 7 – Trigonometric Identities and Equations

7. Simplify each of the following expressions to its simplest form.

(a) cos sin (b) sin sin Hint: re-write using a

sec csc 1 cos 1 cos common denominator

(c) csc cot csc cot

cos , 1
8. The non-permissible values of , for the expression are:
tan , 1 cos , 1
(
Exam A. (, ( 2( ; ∈B
 Style 4
(
B. (, ( 2( ; ∈B
2
(
C. (, ( ; ∈B
4
(
D. (, ( ; ∈B
2

Answers from previous page

6. (a) &#& (b) &#& (c) KL% (d) #M& (e) (f) #$%

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

Use the following information to answer the next question

Each of the following trig expressions can be simplified to a numerical value, where , 2 0 and , 2 0.
cos , sin , cot , tan ,
1 cot , csc , 1 2 3 cos , sec , 4
sin , cot , cos , 2 sec , csc ,

9. NR
 Exam
Style
The expressions, arranged from lowest to highest , are
numbered ____, ____, ____, and ____.

Answers from previous page

7. (a) (b) &#& (c)
8. Answer: A Possible solution: N.P.V.s where , 1, , 1
( 2 2
,
4 2 2 tan ratio is “1” where the cos ratio is “–1” where 1,0 (
sin and cos ratios are equal the x-coord is –1.
2 2 5( ( 5(
, , or , ( … then every 2( after
2 2 4 4 4
, … then every (, to get from one
Note that , … “ ”
, solution to the next

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 Chapter 7 – Trigonometric Identities and Equations

Use the following information to answer the next question

Each of the following expressions can be simplified to a single trigonometric function, where cos 2 1,
cos 2 0, and sin 2 0.
sin tan sec
(a) csc cos sin (b) (c)
1 cos tan cot

10. NR Use the codes below to indicate the simplified form of each code simplified form
 Exam
Style trigonometric expression: 1 cos
The first expression, (a), simplifies to code ____ (first digit of answer), 2 sin
the second expression, (b) simplifies to code ____, (second digit) 3 tan
and the third expression, (c), simplifies to code ____. (third digit)
4 csc

Answers from previous page

9. Answer: 1342 Possible solutions for 1, 3, and 4 are provided: , ,
, , 1 4 ,
, 1 NOTE: 3 1 1
1 1 2·
, , 2 Simplifies , , , ,· ,
, 1 to “1” , , 1 , ,
1 , , , ,
, ,
2
1 , 1 1 , ,
1
, , , , , ,
, ·
1 1 1 6 , , 2
,
/

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7.1 Trigonometric Identities

cos , 4(
11. If the identity csc , sin , is verified using , , then the exact value of each side is:
sec , sin , 3

3 2 3
 Exam
Style A.
6

2 3 3
B.
6

3
C.
6

7 3
D.
6

tan , sec ,
12. The trigonometric expression , where csc , 2 1 , is equivalent to
csc , 1
A. tan ,
 Exam
Style
B. cot ,
C. cos ,
D. sin ,

Answers from previous page and this page

10. Answer: 432 1
2 3
1 1
1 ·
1
1

1 1
·
1 1 1
&#& ·
1
code 4
KL% #$%
code 3 code 2

11. C 12. A

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