MODULE 8
TRIGONOMETRIC
IDENTITIES
TOPIC COVERAGE
Reciprocal Quotient Pythagorean
Identities Identities Identities
Even/Odd Double Angle
Identities Identities
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the discussion, the student should be
able to:
• Identify the different trigonometric identities.
• Simplify trigonometric expressions using
trigonometric identities.
WHAT ARE TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES?
• Trigonometric identities are equations involving
trigonometric functions that are true for all values
of the variables for which the functions are defined.
• These identities are fundamental in simplifying
expressions and solving trigonometric equations.
RECIPROCAL IDENTITIES
In trigonometry, each trigonometric function has a reciprocal
relationship with another function. These relationships are
called reciprocal identities.
1) sin θ = 4) csc θ =
2) cos θ = 5) sec θ =
3) tan θ = 6) cot θ =
“SOH-CAH-TOA” “CHO-SHA-CAO”
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric identities.
1.)
=
QUOTIENT IDENTITIES
Tangent and cotangent are defined as the ratios of sine
and cosine functions.
1) tan θ = 2) cot θ =
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric identities.
2.)
=1
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric identities.
3.)
=
= =
=
PYTHAGOREAN IDENTITIES
Pythagorean trigonometric identities are based on
the properties of right triangles and the Pythagorean
theorem.
1)
Note:
PROOF:
Recall: sin θ = Using the Unit Circle:
sin θ =
Recall: cos θ =
cos θ =
Recall: C=1
b
θ
a
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using
trigonometric identities.
4.) 5.)
= =
= =
= =
=
EVEN/ODD IDENTITIES
Even trigonometric functions satisfy while odd
trigonometric functions satisfy .
1) 4)
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION IS
ODD OR EVEN?
Algebraically:
Notice how the adjacent sides of both triangles
remain on the same side of the x-axis, while
the opposite sides of both triangles have equal
magnitude but measured in opposite
θ directions. This makes the adjacent sides be in
the same sign while the opposite sides be in
-θ different signs.
Thus, this makes cosine and secant the only
even trigonometric identities, having the same
sign regardless whether the angle is negative
or positive.
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION IS
ODD OR EVEN?
Graphically:
A function is even if it is symmetric with
respect to the y-axis. If it is symmetric about
the origin, then the function is odd.
Odd!
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A TRIGONOMETRIC FUNCTION IS
ODD OR EVEN?
Graphically:
A function is even if it is symmetric with
respect to the y-axis. If it is symmetric about Even!
the origin, then the function is odd.
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric identities.
6.) =
= =
= =
=
DOUBLE ANGLE IDENTITIES
Double angle identities express trigonometric
functions of double angles in terms of the functions of
single angles.
1)
EXAMPLE:
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric identities.
7.) Recall:
Recall:
=
=
Recall: tan θ =
=
VERIFYING TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES
(“PROVING”)
> Occasionally a question may ask you to “prove the
identity” or “establish the identity.” This is the same
idea as when an algebra book asks a question like:
“show that .
> In this type of question, we must show the algebraic
manipulations that demonstrate that the left and right
side of the equation are in fact equal.
EXAMPLE:
8.) Verify Recall: tan θ =
EXAMPLE: As the left side is more complicated, let’s
simplify it.
9.) Verify the identity
Recall:
Recall:
Recall: tan θ =
SEATWORK #7 – 1 WYP – C&A
Perform the indicated operations and simplify using trigonometric
identities.
1)
Prove the following equation using trigonometric identities.
2.)