11

8Pre-Calculus
Module 10

Trigonometric Identities

0
PRE-CALCULUS MODULE 10
At the end of this module, students should be able to:
1. determine whether an equation is an identity or a conditional equation;
2. apply trigonometric identities; and
3. solve situational problems involving trigonometric identities.
Trigonometric Values of Special Angles

IDENTITY AND CONDITIONAL EQUATIONS

Identity – is an equation that is true for all valid replacements of the variable.
Examples: 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 1 Pythagorean Theorem
𝑥 + 3𝑥 = 4𝑥 true for all x
𝑥
=1 true for all x, 𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥
Conditional Equation – is a statement that is true on condition that the variable
is replaced with the correct value.
Examples: 𝑥 + 5 = 11 true if x=6
3𝑥 = 15 true if x=5
2
𝑥 = 4𝑥 true if x=0 and x=4

FUNDAMENTAL TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

Trigonometric Identity – is an identity that involves trigonometric functions of
one or more variables. The equation in reciprocal, quotient, and Pythagorean
identities which follow each solution is true for all values of θ for which both sides
are defined.

Reciprocal Identities
1 1 1
sin 𝜃 = csc 𝜃 cos 𝜃 = sec 𝜃 tan 𝜃 = cot 𝜃
1 1 1
csc 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 sec 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 cot 𝜃=tan 𝜃

sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
Quotient Identities tan 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 cot 𝜃 = sin 𝜃

Pythagorean Identities
sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 1 tan2 𝜃 + 1 = sec 2 𝜃 1 + cot 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃

Even-Odd Identities
sin(−𝑥) = − sin 𝑥 cos(−𝑥) = cos 𝑥 tan(−𝑥) = − tan 𝑥
1
 tan 𝜃 cos 𝜃
Example 1: Simplify .
sin 𝜃
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃
cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃
Solution: = = =𝟏 by Quotient Identity
sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃

cos 𝜃
Example 2: Simplify cot 𝜃 .
cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃
Solution: = cos 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 (cos 𝜃 ) = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 by Quotient Identity
cot 𝜃
sin 𝜃

Example 3: Simplify cos 2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 tan2 𝜃

Solution: cos 2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 tan2 𝜃 = cos 2 𝜃 (1 + tan2 𝜃) by Factoring
= cos2 𝜃 sec 2 𝜃 by Pythagorean Theorem
1
= cos2 𝜃 cos2 𝜃 = 𝟏 by Reciprocal Identity

1+tan2 𝜃
Example 4: Simplify .
1+cot2 𝜃
1+tan2 𝜃 sec2 𝜃
Solution: = csc2 𝜃 by Pythagorean Theorem
1+cot2 𝜃
1
cos2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃
= 1 = cos2 𝜃 by Reciprocal Identities
sin2 𝜃
= 𝐭𝐚𝐧𝟐 𝜽 by Quotient Identity

−3
Example 5: If sin 𝜃 = and cos 𝜃 > 0. Find cos 𝜃.
4
Solution: Using the identity sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 = 1 with cos 𝜃 > 0, we have
−3 2
cos2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃 cos 𝜃 = √1 − ( 4 )
9
√cos2 𝜃 = √1 − sin2 𝜃 cos 𝜃 = √1 − 16
7 √𝟕
cos 𝜃 = √1 − sin2 𝜃 cos 𝜃 = √16 = 𝟒

5
Example 6: If sec 𝜃 = 2 and tan 𝜃 < 0, use the identities to find the values of the
remaining trigonometric functions of θ.
Solution: Note that θ lies in QIV.
1 1 2
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 = sec 𝜃 = 5 =5
2
sin2 𝜃 + cos2 𝜃 = 𝟏
sin2 𝜃 = 1 − cos2 𝜃
√sin2 𝜃 = √1 − cos2 𝜃
2 2 4 21 √𝟐𝟏
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 = √1 − cos2 𝜃 = √1 − ( ) = √1 − =√ =−
5 25 25 𝟓

2
 1 1 5 5 √21 𝟓√𝟐𝟏
𝐜𝐬𝐜 𝜽 = sin 𝜃 = √21
=− =− ( ) =−
− 5 √ 21 √21 √21 𝟐𝟏
21
sin 𝜃 −√5 √21 5 √𝟐𝟏
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = cos 𝜃 = 2 =− ( ) =−
5 2 𝟐
5
1 1 2√21 𝟐√𝟐𝟏
𝐜𝐨𝐭 𝜽 = tan 𝜃 = 21
=− (
) =−
−√ √21 √21 𝟐𝟏
2

Sum and Difference Identities

Cosine Difference Identity cos(𝐴 − 𝐵) = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵
Cosine Sum Identity cos(𝐴 + 𝐵) = cos 𝐴 cos 𝐵 − sin 𝐴 sin 𝐵

Cofunction Identities
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
cos (2 − 𝐵) = sin 𝐵 sin ( 2 − 𝐵) = cos 𝐵 tan (2 − 𝐵) = cot 𝐵

Sine Sum Identity sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 + cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

Sine Difference Identity sin(𝐴 − 𝐵) = sin 𝐴 cos 𝐵 − cos 𝐴 sin 𝐵

Tangent Sum and Difference Identities

tan 𝐴+tan 𝐵 tan 𝐴−tan 𝐵
tan(𝐴 + 𝐵) = tan(𝐴 − 𝐵) =
1−tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵 1+tan 𝐴 tan 𝐵

Example 1: Find the exact values of each expression.

a. cos 75°
75° = 45° + 30° Special Angles
cos 75° = cos(45° + 30°) by Cosine Sum Identity
= cos 45° cos 30° − sin 45° sin 30° by Cosine Sum Identity
√2 √3 √2 1
= ( 2 ) ( 2 ) − ( 2 ) (2) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
√6 √2
= − 4
4
√𝟔−√𝟐
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟕𝟓° = 𝟒

𝜋
b. cos 12
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
=4−6 Special Angles
12
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
cos 12 = cos (4 − 6 ) by Cosine Difference Identity
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
= cos 4 cos 6 + sin 4 sin 6 by Cosine Difference Identity
√2 √3 √2 1
= ( 2 ) ( 2 ) + ( 2 ) (2) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
√6 √2
= +
4 4
𝝅 √𝟔+√𝟐
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟒
3
c. sin 105°
105° = 60° + 45° Special Angles
sin 105° = sin(60° + 45°) by Sine Sum Identity
= sin 60° cos 45° + cos 60° sin 45° by Sine Sum Identity
√3 √2 1 √2
= ( 2 ) ( 2 ) + (2) ( 2 ) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
√6 √2
= +
4 4
√𝟔+√𝟐
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟓° = 𝟒

d. sin 15°
15° = 60° − 45° Special Angles
sin 15° = sin(60° − 45°) by Sine Difference Identity
= sin 60° cos 45° − cos 60° sin 45° by Sine Difference Identity
√3 √2 1 √2
= ( 2 ) ( 2 ) − (2) ( 2 ) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
√6 √2
= 4
− 4
√𝟔−√𝟐
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟏𝟎𝟓° = 𝟒

e. tan 75°
75° = 45° + 30° Special Angles
tan 75° = tan(45° + 30°) by Tangent Sum Identity
tan 45°+tan 30°
= 1−tan 45° tan 30° by Tangent Sum Identity
3
1+√3
= √3
by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
1−(1) 3
3+√3
3 3+√3 3 3+√3 3+√3 9+6√3+3 12+6√3
= 3−√3
= ( ) = 3− ( )= =
3 3−√3 √3 3+√3 9−3 6
3

𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟕𝟓° = 𝟐 + √𝟑
tan 50°+tan 130°
Example 2: Find the exact value of
1−tan 50° tan 130°
Solution: Let 𝛼 = 50° and 𝛽 = 130°
tan 𝛼+tan 𝛽
tan(𝛼 + 𝛽) = 1−tan 𝛼 tan 𝛽
tan 50°+tan 130°
= tan(50° + 130°)=tan(180°) = 𝟎
1−tan 50° tan 130°

Example 3: Evaluate sin 110° cos 80° − cos 110° sin 80°
Solution: Let 𝛼 = 110° and 𝛽 = 80°
sin(𝛼 − 𝛽) = sin 𝛼 cos 𝛽 − cos 𝛼 sin 𝛽
𝟏
sin 110° cos 80° − cos 110° sin 80° = sin(110° − 80°) = sin(30°) = 𝟐

4
Double-Angle and Half-Angle Identities
Double-Angle Identities for Sine and Cosine
sin 2𝐴 = 2 sin 𝐴 cos 𝐴 cos 2𝐴 = cos2 𝐴 − sin2 𝐴
Other Double Identities for Cosine
cos 2𝐴 = 2 cos2 𝐴 − 1 cos 2𝐴 = 1 − 2 sin2 𝐴
2 tan 𝐴
Tangent Double-Angle Identity tan 2𝐴 = 1−tan2 𝐴
Some Useful Identities
1+cos 2𝐴 1−cos 2𝐴
cos2 𝐴 = sin2 𝐴 =
2 2
Half-Angle Identities for Sine and Cosine
𝐴 1+cos 𝐴 𝐴 1−cos 𝐴
cos2 (2 ) = sin2 (2 ) =
2 2
Tangent Half-Angle Identities
𝐴 1−cos 𝐴 𝐴 sin 𝐴
tan (2 ) = tan (2 ) = 1+cos 𝐴
sin 𝐴
𝐴
𝐴 sin 2 𝐴 1−cos 𝐴
tan (2 ) = 𝐴 tan2 ( 2 ) = 1+cos 𝐴
cos 2

3 𝜋
Example 1: Given that sin 𝑡 = 5 and < 𝑡 < 𝜋, find sin 2𝑡 and cos 2𝑡.
2
Solution: We first find cos 𝑡 using the Pythagorean Identity. Since t lies in QII, we
have
3 2
sin2 𝑡 + cos2 𝑡 = 1 cos 𝑡 = √1 − (5)
9
cos2 𝑡 = 1 − sin2 𝑡 cos 𝑡 = √1 − 25
16
√cos2 𝑡 = √1 − sin2 𝑡 cos 𝑡 = √25
−4
cos 𝑡 = √1 − sin2 𝑡 cos 𝑡 = 5

3 −4 −𝟐𝟒
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝒕 = 2 sin 𝑡 cos 𝑡 = 2 (5) ( 5 ) = 𝟐𝟓
3 2 9 18 𝟕
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝒕 = 1 − 2 sin2 𝑡 = 1 − 2 ( ) = 1 − 2 ( ) = 1 − =
5 25 25 𝟐𝟓

Example 2: If 𝑥 = tan 𝐴, express sin 2𝐴, cos 2𝐴, and tan 2𝐴 in terms of x.
Solution: Let us find first sin 𝐴 and cos 𝐴 in terms of x.
sec 2 𝐴 = tan2 𝐴 + 1
√sec 2 𝐴 = √tan2 𝐴 + 1 Substitute 𝑥 = tan 𝐴
sec 𝐴 = √tan2 𝐴 + 1 sec 𝐴 = √𝑥 2 + 1
1 𝟏 1 𝒙
Then, 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝑨 = sec 𝐴 = and 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑨 = tan 𝐴 cos 𝐴 = 𝑥 ( )=
√𝒙𝟐 +𝟏 √𝑥2 +1 √𝒙𝟐 +𝟏
Therefore,
𝑥 1 𝟐𝒙
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝑨 = 2 sin 𝐴 cos 𝐴 = 2 ( )( )=
√𝑥 2 +1 √𝑥 2 +1 𝒙𝟐 +𝟏

5
 1 2 𝑥 2 1 𝑥2 𝟏−𝒙𝟐
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝑨 = cos2 𝐴 − sin2 𝐴 = ( ) −( ) = 2 − 2 = 𝟐
√𝑥 2 +1 √𝑥 2 +1 𝑥 +1 𝑥 +1 𝒙 +𝟏
2 tan 𝐴 𝟐𝒙
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝟐𝑨 = 1−tan2 𝐴 = 𝟏−𝒙𝟐

𝜋 𝜋
Example 3: Find the value of sin 12 and cos 12.
𝜋
Solution for sin : Use the half-angle identity for sine, that is
12
𝐴 1−cos 𝐴
sin2 (2 ) = 2
𝐴 1−cos 𝐴
√sin2 ( ) = √
2 2

𝐴 1−cos 𝐴
sin ( 2 ) = √ 2
𝝅
𝜋 1 𝜋 𝟔
Then, sin = sin ( ∙ ) = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 ( ) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
12 2 6 𝟐
𝜋
where 𝐴 = by Half-Angle Identities for Sine
6

𝜋 𝜋 √3
1−cos6 1−
sin ( ) = √ 6
=√ 2 by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
2 2 2

2−√3
2−√3 √𝟐−√𝟑
=√ 2
=√ =
2 4 𝟐
𝜋
Solution for cos 12: Use the half-angle identity for cosine, that is
𝐴 1+cos 𝐴
cos2 (2 ) = 2
𝐴 1+cos 𝐴
√cos2 ( ) = √
2 2

𝐴 1+cos 𝐴
cos (2 ) = √ 2
𝝅
𝜋 1 𝜋 𝟔
Then, cos = cos ( ∙ ) = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 ( ) by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
12 2 6 𝟐
𝜋
where 𝐴 = by Half-Angle Identities for Sine
6

𝜋 𝜋 √3
1+cos 6 1+
cos ( ) = √ 6
=√ 2 by Trig. Values of Spl. Angles
2 2 2

2+√3
2+√3 √𝟐+√𝟑
=√ 2
=√ =
2 4 𝟐

6
SUMMATIVE EVALUATION
A. Multiple Choice
Directions: Select the letter of the correct answer among the given choices. Write
the letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.
(2 points if correct, 1 point if wrong answer, 0 if no answer.)

1. Which of the following is NOT an identity?

A. sin2 𝐴 + cos 2 𝐴 = 1 C. 1 + cot 2 𝑎 = csc2 𝑎
B. sin 𝑎 = tan 𝑎 cos 𝑎 D. 1 − sec2 𝑎 = tan2 𝑎

2. Which of the following is an identity?

1
A. sin 𝑎 cos 𝑎 = 2 sin 2𝑎 C. sin(−𝑎) = sin 𝑎
cos 𝑎
B. sin 𝑎 + cos 𝑎 = 1 D. tan 𝑎 = sin 𝑎

3. Which of the following is NOT an identity?

A. tan 2𝑡 = 2 tan 𝑡 C. sin(−𝑡) = − sin 𝑡
B. sin 𝑎 = 1 − cos 𝑎
2 2
D. sec(−𝑡) = sec 𝑡

4. Which of the following is an identity?

1
A. sin2 𝑢 = 1 + cos 2 𝑢 C. sin2 𝑢 = 1 − sec2 𝑢
B. cot 𝑢 = sin 𝑢 cos 𝑢 D. cos(−𝑢) = − cos 𝑢

1
5. Simplify (csc 𝑥) (tan 𝑥 + cot 𝑥 )
A. sin 𝑥 B. sec 𝑥 C.tan 𝑥 D. cos 𝑥
1 1
6. To which of the following is cot 𝑥 (sec 𝑥 + csc 𝑥) equal?
cot 𝑥 cot 𝑥 2 cot 𝑥 cot 𝑥 sec 𝑥+cot 𝑥 csc 𝑥
A. B. C. D.
sec 𝑥 csc 𝑥 sec 𝑥+csc 𝑥 sec 𝑥+csc 𝑥 sec 𝑥 csc 𝑥

7. Which of the following is equivalent to sin(𝐴 + 30°) + cos(𝐴 + 60°)?

A. sin 𝐴 B. cos 𝐴 C.√3 sin 𝐴 + cos 𝐴 D. √3 cos 𝐴

8. Which of the following is equivalent to sin(𝛼 + 𝛽) + sin(𝛼 − 𝛽)?

A. sin 2𝛼 B. sin(𝛼 2 − 𝛽2 ) C.2 sin 𝛼 sin 𝛽 D. 2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛽

cos 2𝑥
9. Which of the following is NOT equal to ?
cos 𝑥
A. cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥 tan 𝑥 C. 2 cos 𝑥 − sin 𝑥
2 sin 𝑥
B. sec 𝑥 − D. sec 𝑥 − 2 sin2 𝑥 tan 𝑥
cot 𝑥

4 3𝜋
10. If cos 𝑥 = 5 and ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋, then tan 2𝑥 = _______.
2
−24 −7 −24 7
A. B. C. D.
25 24 7 25

1−cos 𝜃 √3
11. If = , then 𝜃 = ______.
sin 𝜃 3
A. 15° B. 30° C.45° D. 60°
7
 𝜃 𝜃
12. Simplify tan 2 + cot 2 .
1
A. 2 cot 𝜃 B. −2 csc 𝜃 C.2 cot 𝜃 D. 2 csc 𝜃

13. Which of the following is not equivalent to sin 40°?

A. √1 − cos 2 40° C.2 sin 20° cos 20°
1+cos 80° 1−cos 80°
B. √ D. √
2 2

𝜋
14. If 2 sin 2𝑥 = 3 cos 2𝑥 and 0 ≤ 2𝑥 ≤ 2 , then 𝑥 = _______.
A. 0.25 B. 0.39 C. 0.49 D. 0.52

15. If 4 sin 𝑥 + 3 = 0 on 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝜋, then 𝑥 = _______.

A. 5.435 B. 0.848 C. 3.990 𝑜𝑟 5.435 D. 0.848 𝑜𝑟 5.435

B. Solving: Solve the following. Show your complete solution. (5 points each)
1. Apply half-angle formula to find the following:
a. sin 15°

5𝜋
b. cos 8

2. Simplify the following expression:

sec2 𝜃−tan2 𝜃
a.
sin 𝜃

cos 𝜃+cot 𝜃 sin 𝜃

b.
sin 𝜃