Quotient Identities:

tan(x) = sin(x)/cos(x)

cot(x) = cos(x)/sin(x)

Reciprocal Identities:
csc(x) = 1/sin(x)

sec(x) = 1/cos(x)

cot(x) = 1/tan(x)

sin(x) = 1/csc(x)

cos(x) = 1/sec(x)

tan(x) = 1/cot(x)

Pythagorean Identities:
sin2(x) + cos2(x) = 1
cot2A +1 = csc2A
1+tan2A = sec2A

How to Solve Trig Identities

The following seven step process will work every time. It is rather tedious, and can take
more time than necessary. As you gain more practice, you can skip or combine these
steps when you recognize other identities.

STEP 1: Convert all sec, csc, cot, and tan to sin and cos. Most of this can be done
using the quotient and reciprocal identities.

STEP 2: Check all the angles for sums and differences and use the appropriate
identities to remove them.

STEP 3: Check for angle multiples and remove them using the appropriate formulas.

STEP 4: Expand any equations you can, combine like terms, and simplify the equations.
STEP 5: Replace cos powers greater than 2 with sin powers using the Pythagorean
identities.

STEP 6: Factor numerators and denominators, then cancel any common factors.

STEP 7: Now, both sides should be exactly equal, or obviously equal, and you have
proven your identity.

Example Problem Using the 7 Step Method

Show that cos4(x) – sin4(x) = cos(2x)

STEP 1: Everything is already in sin and cos, so this part is done.

cos4(x) – sin4(x) = cos (2x)

STEP 2: Since there are no sums or difference inside the angles, this part is done.

cos4(x) – sin4(x) = cos (2x)

STEP 3: cos(2x) is a double angle. Use the double angle formula: cos (2x) = cos2(x) –
sin2(x), to simplify.
cos4(x) – sin4(x) = cos2(x) – sin2(x)
STEP 4: Here is where your algebra knowledge comes in. In this case, we can see that
the left side is a “difference of two squares"

[if you forgot: a2-b2 = (a+b)(a-b)]

Left side: cos4x – sin4x – (cos2(x))2 – (cos2(x))2 = (cos2(x)-sin2(x))(cos2(x)+sin2(x))

Now, our problem looks like this:

(cos2(x)-sin2x))(cos2(x)+sin2(x))= cos2(x) – sin2(x)

The sides are almost the same

STEP 5: There are no powers greater than 2, so we can skip this step

STEP 6: Since cos2(x) – sin2(x) appears on both sides of the equation, we can cancel it.
We are left with: cos2(x) + sin2(x) = 1
STEP 7: Since this is one of the Pythagorean identities, we know it is true, and the
problem is done.

Proving Trigonometric Identities

The 7 step method works both sides and meets in the middle, like a V. Some teachers
will ask you to prove the identity directly (from one side to the other in a straight line).
That is easily done using the work above. Just write down all the left side parts in order
first, then the right side parts in backwards order, so it looks like this:

cos4(x) – sin4(x) = (cos2(x)-sin2(x))(cos2(x)+sin2(x)) = (cos2(x)-sin2(x))(1) = cos2(x)-sin2x

= cos(2x)
Or write the right hand steps in order first and then the left hand step backwards so it
looks like this:

cos(2x) = cos2(x)-sin2(x) = (cos2(x)-sin2(x))(cos2(x)+sin2(x) = cos4(x) – sin4(x)

Even though this is a simple problem, the same steps will work every time to solve trig
identities no matter the difficulty.

Extra Tips

 Get both sides of the equation in the same functions. You don’t always have to
use sin and cos, but its easier to compare when both sides are composed of
similar functions
 Make sure all your angles are the same. Using sin(2A) and sinA is difficult, but if
you use sin2A = 2sin(x)cos(x), that leaves sin(x) and cos(x), and now all your
functions match. The same goes for addition and subtraction: don’t try working
with sin(A+B) and sinA. Instead, use sin(A+B) = sin(x)cos(x)+cos(x)sin(x) so that
all the angles match.
 3 main ways to solve: Convert right side to left side [direct right-left], convert left
side to right side [direct left-right], or convert both sides to the same function
[meet in the middle]
 If you need to add more powers (or remove them), use cos^2(x) + sin^2(x) = 1.
You can always multiply by 1 without changing the meaning, so therefore you
can always multiply by cos^2(x)+sin^2(x).
 Once you get the hang of it, you will begin to see patterns. For instance, in the
example above, you might notice right off that the left side is difference of two
squares and do that first. Then, you quickly simplify to cos^2(x) = sin^2(x), which
tells you which double angle identity to use.
 If you keep getting stuck on a problem, take a break. Come back with a clean
sheet of paper, and start over from the beginning. Often, it helps to change the
direction (from left-right to right-left).
 Let someone else read through your work, just to see if they follow it and can
give a new perspective. When you stare at the same equations for too long, you’ll
likely start to miss things that you would have noticed at the beginning.