Trigonometry
Trigonometric Identities
By:
Eng. E. M. Kodi
BSc. Pet. Eng (with first class honors)-IUEA/ Kampala
Dip. Secondary Education (with distinction)-YKTTI/ S. Kordufan
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
For any angle 𝜃,
𝑦 𝑥 𝑥
sin 𝜃 = , cos 𝜃 = , tan 𝜃 =
𝑟 𝑟 𝑦
Also in the right angled triangle,
𝑂𝑃𝑄,
𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑟 2 (Pythagoras)
Therefore, 𝑟 cos 𝜃 2 + 𝑟 sin 𝜃 2 = 𝑟 2
𝑟 2 cos 𝜃 2 + 𝑟 2 sin 𝜃 2 = 𝑟 2
𝑟 2 cos 𝜃 2 + sin 𝜃 2 = 𝑟 2 cos 𝜃 2 + sin 𝜃 2 = 𝑟 2
Using the notation, cos 𝜃 2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 and sin 𝜃 2 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Therefore, 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜽 + 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜽 = 𝟏 … … . … … . . . 𝟏
sin 𝜃
Using the identity, tan 𝜃 = we can write [1] in
cos 𝜃
two other forms.
si𝑛2 𝜃 1
1 ÷ co𝑠 2 𝜃 ⇒ 1+ =
co𝑠 𝜃 co𝑠 2 𝜃
2
𝟏 + 𝐭𝐚𝒏𝟐 𝜽 = 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝟐 𝜽
co𝑠 2 𝜃 1
1 ÷ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 ⇒ 2
+1=
𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
𝟏 + 𝒄𝒐𝒕𝟐 𝜽 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒄𝟐 𝜽
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
These identities can be use to
- Simplify trig expressions,
- Eliminate trig terms from pairs of equations,
- Calculate other trig rations of any angle for which
Derive a variety of further trig relationships,
- one trig ratio is known
- Solving certain types of trig equations.
The following examples illustrate each of the above
applications according to the order listed.
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 1)
sin 𝜃
Simplify
1+cot2 𝜃
Solution
2 2 1
Using 1 + cot 𝜃 = cosec 𝜃 , 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃
= =
2 2
1 + cot 𝜃 cosec 𝜃 1
sin2 𝜃
sin 𝜃
= = sin 𝜃 × sin2 𝜃 = sin3 𝜃
1
sin2 𝜃
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 2)
Eleminate 𝜃 from the equations 𝑥 = 2 cos 𝜃 and
𝑦 = 3 sin 𝜃
Solution
𝑥 𝑦
cos 𝜃 = and sin 𝜃 =
2 3
Using the identity sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 1
𝑥 2 𝑦 2 𝑥 2 𝑦2
+ =1 ⟹ + =1
2 3 4 9
9𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2
⟹ = 1 ⟹ 9𝑥 2 + 4𝑦 2 = 36
36
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 2)
In Example (4.1 − 2), both 𝑥 and 𝑦 depend on
𝜃, a variable angle.
Used in this way, 𝜃 is called parameter and the
two equations in the example are called
parametric equations.
Parameter is a type of variable that plays an
important part in the analysis of curves and
functions.
In calculus -2, we shall learn how to
differentiate such equations.
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 3)
1
If sin 𝐴 = −3
and 𝐴 is in the third quadrant,
find cos 𝐴 without using a calculator.
Solution
There are two ways of doing this problem. The
first method involves drawing a quadrant and
working out the remaining side of the triangle,
using Pythagoras theorem.
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 3)
Solution
There are two ways of doing this
problem. The first method
involves drawing a quadrant and
working out the remaining side of
the triangle, using Pythagoras
theorem.
From the diagram, 𝑥 = −2 2
𝑥 −2 2
cos 𝜃 = =
𝑟 3
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 3)
Solution
The second method uses the identity sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 1,
1
where sin 𝜃 = − .
3
2
1 1
∴ − + cos2 𝜃 =1 ⟹ + cos 2 𝜃 = 1
3 9
2
1 8
⟹ cos 𝜃 = 1 − =
9 9
8 4×2 4× 2 2 2
cos 𝜃 = = = =±
9 9 9 3
2 2
Since 𝐴 lies on the third quadrant,cos 𝜃 = −
3
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 4)
Prove the following trigonometric identity:
a) tan 𝑥 sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 = sec 𝑥
1 1
b) tan 𝑥
+ tan 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
c) sin 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 2 + sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 2 =2
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 4)
Solution
a)
Take the L. H. S
sin 𝑥 sin2 𝑥
× sin 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 = + cos 𝑥
cos 𝑥 cos 𝑥
sin2 𝑥 + cos 𝑥 × cos 𝑥 sin2 𝑥 + co𝑠 2 𝑥
= =
cos 𝑥 cos 𝑥
1
= = sec 𝑥 = 𝐿. 𝐻. 𝑆
cos 𝑥
As required
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 4)
Solution
b)
Take the L. H. S
1 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥
𝐿. 𝐻. 𝑆 = + = +
sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
cos 𝑥
cos2 𝑥 + sin2 𝑥 1
= = = 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆
sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
As required.
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 4)
Solution
c)
Take the L. H. S and expand the brackets:
Expanding the first bracket yields:
1 − 2 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 … … . . 1
Expanding the second bracket gives:
1 + 2 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥 … … … . 2
Eqn.1 + Eqn.2= 2 = 𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆
As required
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Example (4.1 − 5)
Solve the equation: sec2 𝜃 + tan2 𝜃 = 6 angle 𝜃 in the range
0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 360
Solution
Using
1 + tan2 𝜃 = sec 2 𝜃 ⟹ tan2 𝜃 = sec 2 𝜃 − 1
∴ sec 2 𝜃 + tan2 𝜃 = sec2 𝜃 + sec 2 𝜃 − 1 = 6
2
7
⟹ 2 sec 𝜃 = 7 ⟹ se𝑐 𝜃 =
2
1 −1
1
cos 𝜃 = ⟹ 𝜃 = cos = 57.689𝑜
7 7
2 2
4. Trigonometry 4.1. Pythagorean Identities
Exercises
1
i. If sin 𝑥 = − where 𝑥 lies on the third quadrant,
3
find cos 𝑥 without using a calculator.
ii. Solve the equation: sec 2 𝜃 + tan2 𝜃 = 6 angle 𝜃 in
the range 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 360
