Trigonometric Identities:

The Eight Fundamental

Identities
 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
Trigonometric Identities are equations involving a
circular function or combination of circular functions,
which are valid for all values of the angle for which the
functions are defined.

Trigonometric identities are verified using the so-called

fundamental Identities which hold for every value of
the angle or real number, for which the functions
involved are defined.
 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
From the definition of the six circular functions, these
fundamental identities are derived.

Recall that, if 𝑃 𝜃 = (𝑥, 𝑦) is on the unit circle, then

1
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑥 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 =
𝑥
1
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑦 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 =
𝑦

𝑦 𝑥
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 =
𝑥 𝑦
 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
Note that the pairs 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and sec𝜃, sin𝜃 and csc𝜃, and
tan𝜃 and 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 are reciprocals. Hence,
1 1
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 =
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = (1)
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃

1 1
𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 =
𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃
(2)
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
1 1
and 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 =
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
(3)

These three identities are referred to as

reciprocal relations.
 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
𝑦 𝑥
Also note that since 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = and 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = , then they
𝑥 𝑦
can be expressed in terms of sine and cosine. That is,
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = (4)
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
and 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
(5)

These two identities are called quotient relations.

 TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
Moreover, since (𝑥, 𝑦) is a point on the unit circle, then
it must satisfy the equation
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 1
But 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and y = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. Hence, These three
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 1 ( 6 ) identities are
Dividing both sides of Equation 6 by called
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃, and simplifying both sides will give Pythagorean
1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 ( 7 ) Identities.
Dividing both sides of Equation 6 by
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃, and simplifying both sides will give
𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃 + 1 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃 ( 8 )
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

A. Reciprocal Relations C. Pythagorean Identities

1
1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 6. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 = 1
1
2. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 7. 1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃
1
3. 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 8. 𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃 + 1 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃
B. Quotient Relations
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
4. 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 5. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

Note: Basic algebraic skills is a great help in simplifying

trigonometric expressions.

Example 1
Give the simplest form of each expression.

a. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃

b. 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 − 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 2 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 2

c.
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

Solution
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
a. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
∙ Identity 5 & 4
𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

= 1 Cancellation
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

Solution
b. 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 − 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃) Factor 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃
𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃(𝑠𝑖𝑛 2 𝜃)
= Identity C. 6
1
= ∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 Identity A. 2
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 Cancellation
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

Example 2
Given one of the values of the function of 𝜃, use the
fundamental identities to find the values of the other
functions of 𝜃.
5
1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 13
, 𝜃 in QIV

5 π
2. 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃 = and < 𝜃 < π
3 2

3. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = - 12 and 𝜃 is not in QII

5
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

Example 3
Prove each trigonometric identity.

1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 = 1

1 1 2
2. 1 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES
Exercises
A. Give the simplest form of each expression.
1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃
2. 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃
3. 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃)
B. Given one of the values of the function of 𝜃,use the
fundamental identities to find the values of the other
functions of 𝜃.
7 4
1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = − , 𝜃 in QIII 2. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = , 0 < 𝜃 < 90°
25 3
 THE EIGHT FUNDAMENTAL IDENTITIES

C. Prove each trigonometric identity.

1. 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

2. 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐𝜃𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃

The Other Trigonometric
Identities
 THE GENERAL ADDITION FORMULAS

The general addition formula are used to find the value

of a circular function of a sum or difference of two
angles.
1. cos 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 – 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
2. cos 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
3. sin 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 – 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴
4. sin 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 – 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
5. tan 𝐴 + 𝐵 =
1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
6. tan (𝐴 − 𝐵) =
1+ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
 THE GENERAL ADDITION FORMULAS
Example 1
3 12
If cos 𝐴 = − and sin 𝐵 = − , where 𝐴 is in QIII and 𝐵 is in
5 13
QIV, find the value of each.
a. cos (𝐴 + 𝐵) b. csc (𝐴 − 𝐵)
Solution:
3 4
If cos 𝐴 = − , where 𝐴 is in QIII, then sin 𝐴 = − .
5 5
12 5
If sin 𝐵 = − , where 𝐵 is in QIV, then cos 𝐵 = − .
13 13
Using the identity for cosine of the sum of angles,
cos 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑆𝑖𝑛𝐵
3 5 4 12
cos (𝐴 + 𝐵) = − − − −
5 13 5 13
15 48 63
cos 𝐴 + 𝐵 = − − =−
65 65 65
 DOUBLE-ANGLE FORMULAS
1. a. cos 2θ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
b. cos 2θ = 1 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
c. cos 2θ = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1

2. sin 2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

2𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
3. tan 2𝜃 =
1 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃

Note: The other functions of 2𝜃 can be obtained by simply

applying the reciprocal identities.
 DOUBLE-ANGLE FORMULAS
Example 2
40 3𝜋
If cos 𝜃 = , < 𝜃 < 2𝜋 , find the value of:
41 2

a. 𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 b. cot2𝜃
Solution:
40 9 9
If cos 𝜃 = , and 𝜃 is in QIV, then sin 𝜃 = − , and tan 𝜃 = − .
41 41 40

sin 2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
9 40
sin 2𝜃 = 2 −
41 41
720
sin 2𝜃 = −
1681
 HALF-ANGLE FORMULAS
𝜃 1 +cos 𝜃
1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 = ±
2 2

𝜃 1 −cos 𝜃
2. sin = ±
2 2

𝜃 sin 𝜃
3. 𝑡𝑎𝑛 =
2 1 + cos 𝜃
1 −cos 𝜃
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃
 HALF-ANGLE FORMULAS
Example 3
Find the exact value of each.
𝜋
a. 𝑐𝑜𝑠 b. 𝑐𝑜𝑡15°
8
Solution:
Express the given angle as half of special angles.
𝜋
𝜋 4 𝜋 𝜃 𝜋
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 . Thus, if = ,𝜃 = .
8 2 8 2 4
𝜋 𝜋
Since is in QI, then cos is positive.
8 8

𝜃 2 2+ 2
𝜃 1 +cos 4 1+2 2+ 2 2+ 2
𝑐𝑜𝑠 = = = 2
= =
8 2 2 2 4 2
 THE OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC
IDENTITIES
Exercise 1
A. Find the six circular function values of (A + B)
and (A - B) given the following conditions.

5 4
1. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴 = 13
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 = −
5
, A and B are in QIV

5 24
2. sin𝐴 = 13
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵 =
7
, A and B are in QI
 THE OTHER TRIGONOMETRIC
IDENTITIES
Exercise 1
𝜃
B. Find the six circular function values of 2𝜃 𝑎𝑛𝑑
2
given the following conditions.
3
1. 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = − , 𝜃 is in QIII
13

3
2. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = − , 𝜃 is in QII
7