MATHEMATICS FOR ENGINEERING

TRIGONOMETRY

TUTORIAL 4 – TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

This is the one of a series of basic tutorials in mathematics aimed at beginners or

anyone wanting to refresh themselves on fundamentals. The tutorial revises and
extends the work on trigonometrical formula contains the following.

• Revision of trigonometrical identities

• Double angle formulae

• Compound angle formulae

• Products, sums and differences

• The relationship between trigonometrical and hyperbolic identities.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 1
1. REVIEW OF TRIGONOMETRIC RATIOS

This is the work covered so far in previous tutorials.

SINE sin(A) = b/c cosec(A) = c/b

COSINE cos(A) = a/c sec(θ) = c/a

TANGENT tan(A) = b/a cot (A) = a/b

This is also useful to know. tan (A) = sin(A) / cos(A)

sin2(A) = b2/c2 and cos2(A) = a2/c2 and sin2(A) + cos2(A) = b2/c2 + a2/c2
b2 + a 2 2
sin 2 (A) + cos 2 (A) = 2
c = a2 + b2 (Pythagoras)
c
b + a2
2
sin 2 (A) + cos 2 (A) = 2 =1
a + b2
a b c
SINE RULE = =
sinA sinB sinC

COSINE RULE

b2 + c2 − a 2 c2 + a 2 − b2 a 2 + b2 − c2
cos(A) = cos(B) = cos(C) =
2bc 2ca 2ab

2. COMPOUND ANGLES

SUMS and DIFFERENCES

Prove that cos(A + B) = cos(A) cos(B) – sin(A) sin(B)

Refer to the diagram opposite.

OP cos(A+B) = OR cos(A) + RP cos(A)
substitute cos(A) = - sin(A)
OP cos(A+B) = OR cos(A) - RP sin(A)
OR = OP cos(B) and RP = OP sin(B)
OP cos(A+B) = OP cos(B)cos(A) - OP sin(A) sin(B)
cos(A+B) = cos(A) cos(B) - sin(A) sin(B)

Prove that sin(A + B) = sin(A) cos(B) + cos(A) sin(B)

Refer to the diagram opposite.

OP sin(A+B) = OR sin(A) – RP sin(A)
-sin(A) = cos(A)
OP sin(A+B) = OR sin(A) + RP sin(A)
OR = OP cos(B) and RP = OP sin(B)
OP sin(A+B) = OP cos(B) sin(A) + OP sin(B) cos(A)
sin(A+B) = sin(A) cos(B) + sin(B) cos(A)

By a similar manner to before it can be shown that:

cos(A - B) = cos(A) cos(B) + sin(A) sin(B) and
sin(A - B) = sin(A) cos(B) - cos(A) sin(B)

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DOUBLE ANGLES

cos(A+B) = cos(A) cos(B) - sin(A) sin(B) put B = A:

cos(2A) = cos(A)cos(A) – sin(A) sin(A)
cos(2A) = cos2(A) – sin2(A) and since sin2(A) + cos2(A) = 1
cos(2A) = 1 – 2sin2(A) = 2cos2(A) – 1
1 − cos(2A)
sin 2 (A) =
2
cos(2A) -1
and cos 2 (A) =
2
Similarly sin(A+B) = sin(A) cos(B) + sin(B) cos(A)
sin(2A) = 2sin(A) cos(A)
or sin(A) cos(A) = ½ sin(2A)

HALF ANGLES

In the identity cos(2A) = cos2(A) – sin2(A) if we substitute A = C/2 for A we get

cos(C) = cos2(C/2) – sin2(C/2)
cos(C) = cos2(C/2) – {1 - cos2(C/2)}
cos(C) = 2cos2(C/2) – 1
And sin(C) = 2sin(C/2) cos(C/2)

3. PRODUCTS AND SUMS

CHANGING PRODUCTS TO SUMS

We have already shown that: sin(A + B) = sin(A) cos(B) + cos(A) sin(B)

sin(A - B) = sin(A) cos(B) - cos(A) sin(B)
If we add the two lines we get : sin(A + B) + sin(A - B) = 2sin(A) cos(B)
Rearrange, sin (A) cos (B) = ½ {sin (A + B) + sin (A − B)}
If A = B then as before sin (A) cos (A) = ½ {sin (2A) }

CHANGING SUMS TO PRODUCTS

Using sin (A) cos (B) = ½ {sin (A+B) + sin (A−B)}

Change sides ½ {sin (A+B) + sin (A−B)} = sin (A)cos (B)
Let C = A + B and D = A - B ½ {sin (C) + sin (D)} = sin (A) cos (B)

A = C – B and A = D + B add them together and 2A = C + D and subtracting 2B = C – D

½ {sin (C) + sin (D)} = sin {½ (C+D)} cos {½ (C - D)}

{sin (C) + sin (D)} = 2 sin {½ (C+D)} cos {½ (C - D)}

Since C and D are only symbols for angles it must be true that:

sin A + sin B = 2 sin {½ (A + B)} cos {½ (A − B)}

Likewise we can show: sin A − sin B = 2 sin {½ (A − B)} cos {½ (A + B) }
cos A + cos B = 2 cos {½ (A + B)} cos {½ (A − B)}
cos A − cos B = −2 sin {½ (A + B)} sin {½ (A − B)}

©D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 3
3. CHANGING COS TO SIN AND SIN TO COS

For a right angle triangle as shown we know that:

sin(A) = b/c cos(A) = a/c c = a 2 + b2

Consider the expression a cos (θ) + b sin(θ) (noting θ is not A)

⎧a ⎫ ⎧b⎫
This is the same as the expression c⎨ ⎬cos(θ ) + c⎨ ⎬sin (θ )
⎩c⎭ ⎩c⎭
⎡⎧ a ⎫ ⎧b⎫ ⎤
a cos (θ) + b sin(θ) = c ⎢⎨ ⎬cos(θ ) + ⎨ ⎬sin (θ )⎥
⎣⎩ c ⎭ ⎩c⎭ ⎦
a cos (θ) + b sin(θ) = c{cos(A) cos(θ) + sin(A) sin(θ)}

Now use the identity cos(A - B) = cos(A) cos(B) + sin(A) sin(B)

Only in this case it is cos(A - θ) = cos(A) cos(θ) + sin(A) sin(θ)

a cos (θ) + b sin(θ) = c{cos(A – θ)}

If a = b = 1 then c = √2 A = 45o cos (θ) + sin(θ) = √2 {cos(45o – θ)}

If we started with the expression b cos (θ) - a sin(θ)

⎡⎧ b ⎫ ⎧a ⎫ ⎤
b cos (θ) - a sin(θ) = c ⎢⎨ ⎬cos(θ ) − ⎨ ⎬sin (θ )⎥
⎣⎩ c ⎭ ⎩c ⎭ ⎦
b cos (θ) - a sin(θ) = c{sin(A) cos(θ) - cos(A) sin(θ)}
Now use the identity sin(A - θ) = sin(A) cos(θ) - cos(A) sin(θ)
b cos (θ) - a sin(θ) = c{sin(A - θ)}
If a = b = 1 then c = √2 A = 45o
cos (θ) - sin(θ) = √2{sin(45o - θ)}

WORKED EXAMPLE No.1

Change 3cos(θ) – 4sin(θ) into cosine form and then sine form.

SOLUTION

b cos (θ) - a sin(θ) = c{sin(A-θ) } Let b = 3 and a = 4 hence c = √25 = 5

3 cos (θ) - 4 sin(θ) = 5{sin(A - θ}

cos(A) = a/c = 3/5 sin(A) = b/c = 4/5

α = cos-1(3/5) = 53.13o or sin-1(4/5) = 53.13o

3cos( θ) − 4sin( θ) = 5 cos(θ + 53.13o )
Check put θ = 45o 3cos( θ) − 4sin( θ) = −0.707 and 5 cos(θ + 53.13o ) = -0.707

To put the expression into sine form we only need to know that cos(A) = sin(90o- A)

Hence cos(θ + 53.13o) = sin(90 - θ - 53.13) = sin(36.87- θ)

3cos(θ) – 4sin(θ) = sin(36.87- θ) The sin is repeated at ±180o so it might be tidier to write
3cos(θ) – 4sin(θ) = sin(θ + 143.13o)

Check put θ = 45o 5 sin(θ + 143.13o ) = -0.707

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 WORKED EXAMPLE No.2

sin (2θ )
Show that = tan (θ )
1 + cos(2θ )
SOLUTION
sin (2θ ) 2sin (θ )cos(θ )
Substitute sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ) cos(θ) =
1 + cos(2θ ) 1 + cos(2θ )
sin (2θ ) 2sin (θ )cos(θ ) 2sin (θ )cos(θ )
Substitute cos(2θ) = 2cos2(θ) – 1 = =
1 + cos(2θ ) 1 + 2 cos (θ ) − 1
2
2 cos 2 (θ )
sin (2θ ) sin (θ )
Simplify and = = tan (θ )
1 + cos(2θ ) cos(θ )

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 3

Given 2sin2(θ) + 3cos(θ) = 1/2 Solve θ

SOLUTION

Substitute sin2(θ) = 1 - cos2(θ)

2{1 - cos2(θ)} + 3cos(θ) = 7/2 2 - 2cos2(θ)} + 3cos(θ) = 7/2

- 2cos2(θ)} + 3cos(θ) – 3/2 = 0 2cos2(θ) - 3cos(θ) - 3/2 = 0
3 ± 32 + (4)(2)(3 / 2) 3 ± 9 + 12 3 ± 21
cos( θ) = = =
(2)(2) 4 4
cos(θ) = 1.895 or -0.396
Since the cosine value can not exceed 1 the only answer must be cos(θ) = -0.396
θ = 113.3o

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 4

A generator produces a voltage v = 200 sin(2πft) and a current i = 5 sin(2πft) into a purely
resistive load. The electric power is P = vi. Express this as a single term and show that the
power varies from zero to 1000 Watts at double the frequency.

SOLUTION

P = {200 sin(2πft)} {5 sin(2πft)} = 1000 sin2(2πft)

1 − cos(2A)
Use the double angle formula sin 2 (A) =
2
⎛ 1 − cos{2(2 π f t )} ⎞
P = 1000⎜ ⎟ = 500 − 500cos{4 π f t}
⎝ 2 ⎠
The frequency is doubled and P varies 0 to 1000
(see the plot)

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4. HYPERBOLIC FUNCTIONS

This was covered in a previous tutorial and the comparison table is given again here.

Hyperbolic function Trigonometric function

sinh(-A) = - sinh(A) sin(-A) = - sin(A)

cosh(-A) = cosh(A) cos(-A) = cos(A)

cosh 2 ( θ) + sinh 2 ( θ) = 1 sin2θ + cos2θ = 1

sinh(2A) = 2sinh(A) cosh(A) sin(2A) = 2sin(A) cos(A)

cosh(2A) = cosh2(A)- sinh2(A) cos(2A) = cos2(A)- sin2(A)

cos(A) = 2cos2(A/2) – 1

sin(A) = 2sin(A/2) cos(A/2)

sin (A) cos (B) = ½ {sin (A+B) + sin (A−B)}

cos (A) sin (B) = ½ {sin (A+B) - sin (A−B)}

cos (A) cos (B) = ½ {cos (A+B) + cos (A−B)}

sin (A) sin (B) = -½ {cos (A+B) - cos (A−B)}

cos (θ) - sin(θ) = √2{sin(45o - θ)}

cos (θ) + sin(θ) = √2 {cos(45o – θ)}

sinh(A±B) = sinh(A) cosh(B) ± cosh(A) sinh(B) sin(A ± B) = sin(A) cos(B) ± cos(A) sin(B)

cosh(A±B) = cosh(A) cosh(B) ± sinh(A) sinh(B) cos(A ± B) = cos(A) cos(B) m sin(A) sin(B)

cosh(x) + sinh(x) = ex

cosh(x) - sinh(x) = e-x

dy dy
y = sinh(x) then = cosh(x) y = sin(x) then = cos(x)
dx dx
dy dy
If y = cosh(x) then = sinh(x) If y = cos(x) then = −sin(x)
dx dx

∫ sinh(x)dx = cosh(x) + C ∫ sin(x)dx = - cosh(x) + C

∫ cosh(x)dx = sinh(x) + C ∫ cos(x)dx = sin(x) + C

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 SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.1

1. Given sin(3x) = 0.5 solve the two smallest positive values of x.

(Answer 10o or 50o)
2. The velocity at which a vehicle overturns on an inclined bend is given by v 2 = Rg
{µ + tanθ}
{1 − µtanθ}
Make θ the subject of the formula
Determine the angle if the vehicle overturns at 13 m/s when R = 30 m and µ = 0.2
(Answer 18.6o)

3. Given cos2(θ) + 2sin2(θ) = 1.5 Solve the smallest positive value of θ

(Answer 45o)

4. Prove the following by using standard trigonometric identities.

1 − cos(2θ ) 1 − cos(2θ )
i. = tan (θ ) ii. = tan 2 (θ )
sin(2 θ) 1 + cos(2 θ)

tanA + tanB
5. Show that tan (A + B) =
1 − tanA tanB

6. Change 5cos(α) + 2 sin(α) into cosine form

(Answer 5.385 cos(α -21.8o)

7. Change 3 sin( θ) − cos( θ) into cosine form.

(Answer 2 sin(α -30o)

8. Two alternating voltages are expressed as v1 = 3 sin(4t) and v2 = 4 cos(4t)

When the voltage is summed the result is v = V sin(4t + φ). Determine the value of V and φ
(5 and 52o)

9. Given that 2cos2(θ) + sin(θ) = x find a formula with θ as the subject.

Given x = 2.065 solve the smallest positive value of θ.

(Answer 25o)

10. In a complex stress situation, the stress on a plane at angle θ to the x plane is given by the
formula:
σx + σy σx − σy
σθ = + cos(2 θ) + τsin(2θ)
2 2
Where
The stress on the x plane is σx = 200 MPa
The stress on the y plane is σy = 100 MPa
The shear stress is τ = 50 MPa

Calculate the angle of the plane where the stress is 218.3 MPa.
(Answer 15o)

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