LESSON 22: Applications of Trigonometric Identities I

“The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.” - Maryam Mirzakhani

O.M. “Proofs are the foundation of mathematical theory. Any self-respecting mathematician
appreciates this fact. Furthermore, it is an invaluable asset in the skillset of a mathematician to
be able to craft proofs; some even consider them to be feats of logical beauty! So in this lesson,
we will explore this fine sub-art of the art of problem-solving!”

22.1 GATHERING THE TOOLS FOR THE JOB!

Your toolkit

sin 𝜃
(i) tan 𝜃 ≡
cos 𝜃 Basic trig. identities
(ii) sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 ≡ 1
(iii) a) sin (A ± B) ≡ sin A cos B ± cos A sin B
b) cos (A ± B) ≡ cos A cos B ∓ sin A sin B Compound-angle formulae
tan 𝐴 ± tan 𝐵
c) tan (A ± B) =
1 ∓ tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵

In the previous lesson, we established that these identities are useful for the following:

Applications: (i) simplifying trigonometric expressions

(ii) proving other trigonometric identities
(iii) Evaluating angles of trigonometric functions exactly

So now, lets get to work as we attack some hard-core trigonometric identity problems but first,
there are a few tools to add to our toolkit…

22.2 DOUBLE-ANGLE FORMULAE

The identities discussed below are called the double-angle formulae.
Since sin (A + B) ≡ sin A cos B + cos A sin B, it stands to reason that
sin (A + A) ≡ sin 2A ≡ sin A cos A + cos A sin A
≡ 2 sin A cos A
Hence, sin 2A ≡ 2 sin A cos A
Similarly, we can show that cos 2A ≡ cos2 A – sin2 A
≡ 1 – sin2 A – sin2 A // Because sin2A + cos2A ≡ 1 //
≡ 1 – 2 sin2 A
Q: Show that cos 2A ≡ 2 cos2 A – 1
Hence, cos 2A ≡ 1 – 2 sin2 A
OR cos 2A ≡ 2 cos2 A – 1
OR cos 2A ≡ cos2 A – sin2 A
O.M. “In practice, any of these variations of the identity can be useful. You will have to
demonstrate subtle judgment in selecting which one is best!”

tan 𝐴 + tan 𝐵
Since, tan (A + B) ≡ , it stands to reason that
1− tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵
tan 𝐴 + tan 𝐴
Tan (A + A) ≡
1− tan 𝐴 tan 𝐴
2 tan 𝐴
≡
1− tan2 𝐴
𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝑨
Hence, tan 2A ≡
𝟏− 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 𝑨

22. 3 THE ART OF WRITING PROOFS FOR IDENTITIES

A proof is an argument based on a series of logically-deduced statements that lead to a

logical conclusion.

Writing proofs for identity statements is analogous to solving picture puzzles. In picture
puzzles, you are given a final picture and then required to fit the puzzle pieces together so that
they form that final picture.

Final picture Puzzle pieces

Putting the pieces together Completed puzzle

Similarly, in identity statements, the expression on the RHS is the “final picture” and beginning
with the expression on the LHS (the first puzzle piece if you will), you fit other logical pieces
together to arrive at the RHS expression.

SOME PROOF-WRITING TIPS

 The words “prove that” or “show that” are indicators that a proof is required for your
answer to certain problems in exams.
 Writing proofs is often an exercise in algebraic manipulation, so be ready to employ
certain tactics such as: factorizing, expanding, combining into one fraction, splitting
into two fractions, re-writing expressions etc.
 While writing a proof, always scan the RHS to get a feel of what tactics might be
necessary to proceed with the proof.
 Don’t go hunting without your toolkit! You must be able to recall all the standard
identities with ease.

1−cos 2𝜃
Example 1: Prove the identity ≡ tan2 𝜃
1+cos 2𝜃

Proof:

1−cos 2𝜃
LHS ≡
1+cos 2𝜃

1−(1−2 sin2 𝜃)
≡ //Note the tactical use of the two variations of the cos 2𝜃
1+(2 cos2 𝜃−1)

Identity.//

2 sin2 𝜃
≡ //After correct simplification.//
2 cos2 𝜃
sin 𝜃 2
≡ ( )
cos 𝜃
≡ tan2 𝜃 ≡ RHS. Q.E.D.
 1 2
Example 2: Prove the trigonometric identity tan 𝜃 + ≡
tan 𝜃 sin 2𝜃

Proof:
1
LHS ≡ tan 𝜃 +
tan 𝜃

sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃

≡ + //Based on the identity tan 𝜃 ≡ .//
cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃

sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃
≡ //Tactic: Combine into one fraction.//
sin θ cos 𝜃
1
≡ //Because sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 ≡ 1.//
sin θ cos 𝜃
1
≡ 1 //sin 2𝜃 ≡ 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃. ∴ ½ sin 2𝜃 ≡ sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃. //
2
sin 2 𝜃

2
≡ ≡ RHS. Q.E.D.
sin 2 𝜃

sin(𝜃 + 𝛼)
Example 3: Prove the identity ≡ tan 𝜃 + tan 𝛼
cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼

Proof:

sin(𝜃 + 𝛼)
LHS ≡
cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼

sin 𝜃 cos 𝛼 + cos 𝜃 sin 𝛼

≡ //sin(𝜃 + 𝛼) ≡ sin 𝜃 cos 𝛼 + cos 𝜃 sin 𝛼.//
cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼

sin 𝜃 cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 sin 𝛼

≡ + //Split into two fractions.//
cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼 cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼

sin 𝜃 sin 𝛼
≡ +
cos 𝜃 cos 𝛼

≡ tan 𝜃 + tan 𝛼 ≡ RHS. Q.E.D.

A slightly different textured problem….

5 3𝜋
Example 4: If cos A = and < A < 2𝜋, find, without using tables or calculators, the
13 2
value of (a) sin 2A (b) cos 2A (c) tan 2A

Solution: [ Here, we use double-angle formulae to evaluate trigonometric functions]

Recall this tool:

5 12
If cos A = , then sin A = −
13 13

3𝜋
//By Pythagoras’ theorem and < A < 2𝜋 (270° < A < 360° ) is the 4th quadrant
2
where only the cosine function is positive. //
12
Similarly, tan A = −
5

Therefore,

12 5
(a) sin 2A ≡ 2 sin A cos A ≡ 2 ( − )( )
13 13
𝟏𝟐𝟎
≡ −
𝟏𝟔𝟗
5 2
(b) cos 2A ≡ cos2 A – sin2 A ≡ ( ) – (− 12
13
)2
13
25 144 𝟏𝟏𝟗
≡ - ≡ −
𝟏𝟔𝟗
169 169

12 24
)
2 (− −
5 5
(c) tan 2A ≡ ≡ 119
12 2 −
1−(− ) 25
5

𝟏𝟐𝟎
≡ 𝟏𝟏𝟗
 TAKE-AWAYS

 A proof is an argument based on a series of logically-deduced statements that lead to

a logical conclusion.
 When proving identities, you start with the expression on the LHS and then proceed,
using logical deductions, to arrive at the expression on the RHS.
 Writing proofs for identity statements are analogous to solving picture puzzles.
 The words “prove that” or “show that” are indicators that a proof is required for your
answer to certain problems in exams.
 Writing proofs is often an exercise in algebraic manipulation, so be ready to employ
certain tactics such as: factorizing, expanding, combining into one fraction, splitting
into two fractions, re-writing expressions etc.
 While writing a proof, always scan the RHS to get a feel of what tactics might be
necessary to proceed with the proof.
 Don’t go hunting without your toolkit! You must be able to recall all the standard
identities with ease:
 These are the new tools added to the toolkit: the double-angle formulae

sin 2A ≡ 2 sin A cos A

cos 2A ≡ 1 – 2 sin2 A
OR cos 2A ≡ 2 cos2 A – 1
OR cos 2A ≡ cos2 A – sin2 A
𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝑨
tan 2A ≡
𝟏− 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 𝑨