Trigonometric Function and Identities

Trigonometric identities are used in both course texts and in real life applications to abbreviate
trigonometric expressions. It is important to remember that merely verifying an identity or altering an expression
is not an end in itself, but rather that identities are used to simplify expressions according to the task at hand.
Trigonometric expressions can always be reduced to sines and cosines, which can be more manageable than other
functions.

Fundamental Trigonometric Function and identities

Basic Identities (Reciprocal Identities) Sum and Different of Two Angle

1
sin Ɵ = csc Ɵ cos(α ± 𝐵) =cos α cos 𝐵 ± sin α sin 𝐵

1
cos Ɵ = sec Ɵ sin(α ± 𝐵) =sin α cos 𝐵 ± cos α sin 𝐵

1 𝑡𝑎𝑛α±𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵
tan Ɵ = cot Ɵ tan(α ± 𝐵) = 1±𝑡𝑎𝑛α 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐵

1
csc Ɵ = sec Ɵ

1
sec Ɵ = cos Ɵ Double Angle Identities
sin 2 Ɵ = 2sinƟ cosƟ
1
cot Ɵ = tan Ɵ Cos 2 Ɵ = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ −𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 Ɵ

Quotient Relations =2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 Ɵ − 1

sin Ɵ
tan Ɵ = =1−2𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ
cos Ɵ

cos Ɵ 1 tan Ɵ
cot Ɵ = Tan 2 Ɵ = 1−𝑡𝑎𝑛2 Ɵ
sin Ɵ

Pythagorean Relation Sum to Product Identities

𝑎+𝐵 𝑎−𝐵
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ +𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 Ɵ = 1 sin α + sin 𝐵 = 2sin( )cos( )
2 2

𝑎+𝐵 𝑎−𝐵
𝑡𝑎𝑛2 Ɵ + 1 =𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 Ɵ sin α − sin 𝐵 = 2cos( )sin( )
2 2

𝑎+𝐵 𝑎−𝐵
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 Ɵ +1 =𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 Ɵ cos α + cos 𝐵 = 2cos( )cos( )
2 2

𝑎+𝐵 𝑎−𝐵
cos α − cos 𝐵 = −2sin( )sin( )
2 2
Product to Sum Identities Half Angle Identities

1 Ɵ 1−cos Ɵ
sin α sin 𝐵 = 2 [cos(α − 𝐵) −cos(α + 𝐵)] sin(2)= ±√ 2

1 Ɵ 1+cos Ɵ
cos α cos 𝐵 = 2 [cos(α − 𝐵)+cos(α + 𝐵)] cos(2)= ±√ 2

1 Ɵ 1−cos Ɵ
sin α cos 𝐵 = 2 [sin(α + 𝐵) −sin(α − 𝐵)] tan(2)= ±√1+cos Ɵ

1 sin Ɵ
cos α sin 𝐵 = 2 [sin(α + 𝐵) −sin(α − 𝐵)] = 1+cos Ɵ

1−cos Ɵ
Even/Odd Identities = sin Ɵ

sin (−Ɵ) = -sin Ɵ Power of Function

1−cos Ɵ
cos (-Ɵ) = cos Ɵ 𝑠in2 Ɵ = 2

1+cos Ɵ
tan (-Ɵ) = -tan Ɵ cos2 Ɵ = 2

1−cos Ɵ
csc (-Ɵ) = -csc Ɵ tan2 Ɵ = 1+cos Ɵ

sec (-Ɵ) = sec Ɵ

cot (-Ɵ) = -cot Ɵ

Steps in Proving Identities

1. Choose the complicated.

2. If you do not see directly on how to produce one side of the equation, apply elementary identity that is to
change everything to sine or cosine.
3. Always have in mind the expression you want.