Trigonometric Identities

Consider the following right angled triangle:

Recall the trigonometric ratios:

𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑎
sin 𝜃 = =
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑐
𝑎𝑑𝑗 𝑏
cos 𝜃 = =
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑐
𝑜𝑝𝑝 sin 𝜃 𝑎
tan 𝜃 = = =
𝑎𝑑𝑗 cos 𝜃 𝑏

Recall the Pythagorean Theorem (in terms of the triangle given

above):
𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2

𝑎
sin 𝜃 = →→ 𝑎 = 𝑐 sin 𝜃 →→ 𝑎2 = (𝑐 sin 𝜃 )2 →→ 𝑎2 = 𝑐 2 sin2 𝜃
𝑐
𝑏
cos 𝜃 = →→ 𝑏 = 𝑐 cos 𝜃 →→ 𝑏 2 = (𝑐 cos 𝜃 )2 → 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 cos2 𝜃
𝑐
By substitution:
𝑐 2 sin2 𝜃 + 𝑐 2 cos2 𝜃 = 𝑐 2 ÷ 𝑐2
𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜽 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐 𝜽 = 𝟏
 sin2 𝜃 = 1 − cos2 𝜃
cos2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prove the identity:
1
1 + tan2 𝜃 =
cos2 𝜃
When going about in attempting to prove a trigonometric identity, we
must show that one side of the identity is equivalent to the other. This
is done by manipulating one side of the identity so that it resembles
the other side. Various techniques may be involved in proof, as you
will see in following examples.
1
1 + tan2 𝜃 =
cos2 𝜃
In this case, we will use the left-hand side of the identity to show that
it is equal to the right hand side (most times, this is the case)
sin 𝜃 2 sin2 𝜃
We know that tan 𝜃 = therefore tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃 cos2 𝜃

sin2 𝜃
→→ 1 +
cos 2 𝜃
We want to turn that expression into a single fraction, so here, we can
cos2 𝜃
rewrite 1 ≡
cos2 𝜃

cos2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃
→→ +
cos2 𝜃 cos2 𝜃
Combining, we have
cos2 𝜃 + sin2 𝜃
cos2 𝜃
But 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜽 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐 𝜽 = 𝟏, therefore, by substituting
1
cos2 𝜃
Prove the identity:
tan 𝜃
= sin 𝜃
√1 + tan2 𝜃
Here, we will use the left-hand side to show that is equivalent to the
right-hand side.
First, let’s simplify the denominator.
tan 𝜃 tan 𝜃
→→
√1 + tan2 𝜃 2 2
√cos2 𝜃 + sin 2 𝜃
cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃
tan 𝜃
→→
√ 1
cos 2 𝜃
The expression under the root can be simplified
tan 𝜃
1
cos 𝜃
For simplification, we will rewrite this
1
tan 𝜃 ÷
cos 𝜃
sin 𝜃
In this 2 for 1 special combo move, we will rewrite tan 𝜃 = ,
cos 𝜃
also, we will upturn and multiply.
sin 𝜃
× cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃
That expression can then be simplified to
sin 𝜃
We have completed the proof! You may write QED or draw a square
next to your “properly done” proof.
Prove the identity:
cos2 𝜃
= 1 + sin 𝜃
1 − sin 𝜃
Here, we will use left hand side to prove right hand side.
We can replace cos 2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃
1 − sin2 𝜃
1 − sin 𝜃
Recognize in the numerator, we have a difference of 2 squares
(1 − sin 𝜃 )(1 + sin 𝜃 )
1 − sin 𝜃
By cancellation, the expression simplifies to
1 + sin 𝜃
Which is the right-hand side, therefore completing the proof.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prove the identity

1 1 2
+ =
1 + cos 𝜃 1 − cos 𝜃 sin2 𝜃
Using LHS (left hand side)
(1 − cos 𝜃 ) + (1 + cos 𝜃)
(1 + cos 𝜃)(1 − cos 𝜃)
2
1 − cos 2 𝜃
2
sin2 𝜃
QED
Try this
Prove the identity
sin 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 2
+ =
1 + cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 sin 𝑥
Using LHS
(sin 𝑥 )(sin 𝑥 ) + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
sin2 𝑥 + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
1 − cos2 𝑥 + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
(1 + cos 𝑥)(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
(1 + cos 𝑥 )[(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥 )]
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
[(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥 )]
sin 𝑥
2
sin 𝑥
QED
Check below for details
Prove the identity
sin 𝑥 1 + cos 𝑥 2
+ =
1 + cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 sin 𝑥
Using LHS
First, we combine the two fractions, making a common denominator,
this is done by cross multiplication.
(sin 𝑥 )(sin 𝑥 ) + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
Simplifying
sin2 𝑥 + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
We can replace sin2 𝜃 = 1 − cos2 𝜃
1 − cos2 𝑥 + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
The expression 1 − cos2 𝜃 is a difference of 2 squares, and can be
written as shown below
(1 + cos 𝑥)(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥)(1 + cos 𝑥)
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
We can factor out (1 + cos 𝑥 )
(1 + cos 𝑥 )[(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥 )]
sin 𝑥 (1 + cos 𝑥)
By cancelling (1 + cos 𝑥 ), we have
[(1 − cos 𝑥) + (1 + cos 𝑥 )]
sin 𝑥
Simplifying
2
sin 𝑥