1. Home
  2. Precalculus
  3. Trigonometric identities and
  4. Solving trigonometric equations

7.1 Solving trigonometric equations with identities  (Page 4/9)

<< Chapter < Page
  Precalculus     Page 4 / 9
Chapter >> Page >

Show that   cot   θ csc   θ = cos   θ .

cot   θ csc   θ = cos   θ sin   θ 1 sin   θ         = cos   θ sin   θ ⋅ sin   θ 1         = cos   θ
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Creating and verifying an identity

Create an identity for the expression   2 tan   θ sec   θ   by rewriting strictly in terms of sine.

There are a number of ways to begin, but here we will use the quotient and reciprocal identities to rewrite the expression:

2   tan   θ sec   θ = 2 ( sin   θ cos   θ ) ( 1 cos   θ )                        = 2   sin   θ cos 2 θ                        = 2   sin   θ 1 − sin 2 θ Substitute  1 − sin 2   θ  for  cos 2   θ

Thus,

2 tan   θ sec   θ = 2   sin   θ 1 − sin 2   θ
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verifying an identity using algebra and even/odd identities

Verify the identity:

sin 2 ( − θ ) − cos 2 ( − θ ) sin ( − θ ) − cos ( − θ ) = cos   θ − sin   θ

Let’s start with the left side and simplify:

sin 2 ( − θ ) − cos 2 ( − θ ) sin ( − θ ) − cos ( − θ ) = [ sin ( − θ ) ] 2 − [ cos ( − θ ) ] 2 sin ( − θ ) − cos ( − θ )                                       = (− sin   θ ) 2 − ( cos   θ ) 2 − sin   θ − cos   θ sin ( − x ) = − sin   x   and   cos ( − x ) = cos   x                                       = ( sin   θ ) 2 − ( cos   θ ) 2 − sin   θ − cos   θ Difference of squares                                       = ( sin   θ − cos   θ ) ( sin   θ + cos   θ ) − ( sin   θ + cos   θ )                                       = ( sin   θ − cos   θ ) ( sin   θ + cos   θ ) − ( sin   θ + cos   θ )                                       = cos   θ − sin   θ
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verify the identity   sin 2 θ − 1 tan   θ sin   θ − tan   θ = sin   θ + 1 tan   θ .

sin 2 θ − 1 tan   θ sin   θ − tan   θ = ( sin   θ + 1 ) ( sin   θ − 1 ) tan   θ ( sin   θ − 1 ) = sin   θ + 1 tan   θ

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verifying an identity involving cosines and cotangents

Verify the identity:   ( 1 − cos 2 x ) ( 1 + cot 2 x ) = 1.

We will work on the left side of the equation.

( 1 − cos 2 x ) ( 1 + cot 2 x ) = ( 1 − cos 2 x ) ( 1 + cos 2 x sin 2 x )                                       = ( 1 − cos 2 x ) ( sin 2 x sin 2 x + cos 2 x sin 2 x )   Find the common denominator .                                       = ( 1 − cos 2 x ) ( sin 2 x + cos 2 x sin 2 x )                                       = ( sin 2 x ) ( 1 sin 2 x )                                       = 1
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Using algebra to simplify trigonometric expressions

We have seen that algebra is very important in verifying trigonometric identities, but it is just as critical in simplifying trigonometric expressions before solving. Being familiar with the basic properties and formulas of algebra, such as the difference of squares formula, the perfect square formula, or substitution, will simplify the work involved with trigonometric expressions and equations.

For example, the equation   ( sin   x + 1 ) ( sin   x − 1 ) = 0   resembles the equation   ( x + 1 ) ( x − 1 ) = 0 , which uses the factored form of the difference of squares. Using algebra makes finding a solution straightforward and familiar. We can set each factor equal to zero and solve. This is one example of recognizing algebraic patterns in trigonometric expressions or equations.

Another example is the difference of squares formula,   a 2 − b 2 = ( a − b ) ( a + b ) , which is widely used in many areas other than mathematics, such as engineering, architecture, and physics. We can also create our own identities by continually expanding an expression and making the appropriate substitutions. Using algebraic properties and formulas makes many trigonometric equations easier to understand and solve.

Writing the trigonometric expression as an algebraic expression

Write the following trigonometric expression as an algebraic expression:   2 cos 2 θ + cos   θ − 1.

Notice that the pattern displayed has the same form as a standard quadratic expression,   a x 2 + b x + c .   Letting   cos   θ = x , we can rewrite the expression as follows:

2 x 2 + x − 1

This expression can be factored as   ( 2 x − 1 ) ( x + 1 ) .   If it were set equal to zero and we wanted to solve the equation, we would use the zero factor property and solve each factor for   x .   At this point, we would replace   x   with   cos   θ   and solve for   θ .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
<< Chapter < Page Page > Chapter >>
Practice Key Terms 4

Read also:

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Precalculus. OpenStax CNX. Jan 19, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11667/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Precalculus' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask