Verifying Trigonometric Identities

Verifying Trigonometric
Identities
What is an Identity?
An identity is a statement that two
expressions are equal for every value of
the variable.
Examples:
x + x = 2x
The left-hand expression always equals the right-hand expression,

no matter what x equals.
The fundamental Identities
Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities
1
csc x = sin x
sin x tan x =
Secx =
1 cos x
cos x cos x
1 cot x =
cot x = sin x
tan x
The beauty of the identities is that we can

get all functions in terms of sine and
cosine.
The Fundamental Identities
Identities for Negatives
sin( − x) = − sin x
cos(− x) = cos( x)
tan(− x) = − tan x
The Fundamental Identities
Pythagorean Identities
sin x + cos x = 1
2 2
tan x + 1 = sec x
2 2
X
1 + cot x = csc x
2 2
The only unique Identity here is the top one,

the other two can be obtained using the top
identity.
Variations of Identities using Arithmetic
Variations of these Identities
1 − sin x = cos x
2 2
1 − cos x = sin x
2 2
We can create different versions of many

of these identities by using arithmetic.
Let’s look at some
examples!
Verifying Trigonometric
Identities
Now we continue on our
journey!
An Identity is Not a
Conditional Equation
 Conditional equations are true only for some
values of the variable.
 You learned to solve conditional equations in
Algebra by “balancing steps,” such as adding the
same thing to both sides, or taking the square
root of both sides.
 We are not “solving” identities so we must
approach identities differently. 2x2 +1 = 9
2x2 = 8
x2 = 4
x = 2 or x = −2
We Verify (or Prove) Identities by doing
the following:
 Work with one side at a time.
 We want both sides to be exactly the
same.
 Start with either side
 Use algebraic manipulations and/or the
basic trigonometric identities until you
have the same expression as on the other
side.
Example:
cot x sin x = cos x
LHS = cot x sin x

and RHS = cos x
cos x
= ⋅ sin x
sin x
= cos x
Since both sides are the same, the identity is verified.
Suggestions
 Start with the more complicated side
 Try substituting basic identities (changing all
functions to be in terms of sine and cosine may
make things easier)
 Try algebra: factor, multiply, add, simplify, split
up fractions
 If you’re really stuck make sure to:
Change everything on both sides to

sine and cosine.
Remember to:
 Work with only one side at a time!
RHS = cos x csc x

1
= cos x ⋅
sin x
= cot x
Establish the following identity: sin θ cosecθ − cos θ = sin θ2 2
Let's sub in here using reciprocal identity
sin θ cosecθ − cos 2 θ = sin 2 θ
 1 
sin θ   − cos θ = sin θ
2 2
 sin θ 
We are done!
We've shown the 1 − cos θ = sin θ
2 2
LHS equals the
RHS sin θ = sin θ
2 2
We often use the Pythagorean Identities solved for either sin2θ or cos2θ.
sin2θ + cos2θ = 1 solved for sin2θ is sin2θ = 1 - cos2θ which is our left-
hand side so we can substitute.
In establishing an identity you should NOT move things
from one side of the equal sign to the other. Instead
substitute using identities you know and simplifying on
one side or the other side or both until both sides match.
Establish the following identity: cosecθ − cot θ =
sin θ
Let's sub in here using reciprocal identity and quotient identity 1 + cos θ
We worked on cosecθ − cot θ = sin θ

LHS and then 1 + cos θ
RHS but never 1 cos θ sin θ
moved things − =
across the = sign sin θ sin θ 1 + cos θFOIL denominator
1 − cos θ  sin sinθθ  1 − cos θ 
combine fractions =  
sin θ cosθθ  1 − cos θ 
11++cos
1 − cos θ sin θ (1 − cos θ )
Another trick if the
denominator is two terms
=
with one term a 1 and the
other a sine or cosine,
sin θ 1 − cos θ 2
multiply top and bottom of 1 − cos θ sin θ (1 − cos θ )

the fraction by the conjugate =
and then you'll be able to sin θ sin 2
θ
use the Pythagorean Identity 1 − cos θ 1 − cos θ
=
on the bottom sin θ sin θ
How to get proficient at verifying
identities:
 Once you have solved an identity go back
to it, redo the verification without looking
at how you did it before, this will make
you more comfortable with the steps you
should take.
 Redo the examples done in class using the
same approach, this will help you build
confidence in your instincts!
Don’t Get Discouraged!
 Every identity is different
 Keep trying different approaches
 The more you practice, the easier it will be
to figure out efficient techniques
 If a solution eludes you at first, sleep on
it! Try again the next day. Don’t give up!
 You will succeed!
Establish the identity
Homework
 14.3 pg 780 #’s 25-28 all, 29-35 odd

Acknowledgements
This presentation was made possible by
training and equipment from a Merced
College Access to Technology grant.
Thank you to Marguerite Smith for the
template for some of the slides.

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Verifying Trigonometric

The left-hand expression always equals the right-hand expression,

The beauty of the identities is that we can

The only unique Identity here is the top one,

We can create different versions of many

LHS = cot x sin x

Change everything on both sides to

RHS = cos x csc x

We worked on cosecθ − cot θ = sin θ

multiply top and bottom of 1 − cos θ sin θ (1 − cos θ )

 14.3 pg 780 #’s 25-28 all, 29-35 odd

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