Write each expression as a single fraction in simplest form.
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{1}{x} + \dfrac{1}{y}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 1 - \dfrac{1}{x}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{1}{x - 1} + \dfrac{1}{x + 1}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle x - \dfrac{x}{x + 1}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{y}{x} - \dfrac{x}{y}}{\dfrac{y}{x} + 1}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{1 - \dfrac{x^2}{y^2}}{1 + \dfrac{x^2}{y^2}}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{2a}{x}}{1 - \dfrac{a^2}{x^2}}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{\dfrac{a}{x} + \dfrac{b}{y}}{1 - \dfrac{ab}{xy}}[/latex]
[latex]\underline{\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad}[/latex]
Algebra Refresher Answers
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{x + y}{xy}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{x - 1}{x}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{2x}{x^2 - 1}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{x^2}{x + 1}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{y - x}{y}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{y^2 - x^2}{y^2 + x^2}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{2ax}{x^2 - a^2}[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \dfrac{ay + bx}{xy - ab}[/latex]
- Recognize identities
- Verify identities
- Rewrite expressions using identities
- Use identities to evaluate expressions
- Solve trigonometric equations
- Given one trig ratio, find the others #59–72
What Is an Identity?
Recall that an equation may be true or false, depending on the values of any variables involved. For example, the equation [latex]x^2 + 3x =10[/latex]
is true only if [latex]x = 2[/latex] or [latex]x = 5{.}[/latex] An equation that is true only for certain values of the variable, and false for others, is called a conditional equation. When you solve a conditional equation, you are finding the values of the variable that make the equation true. Some equations are true for all legitimate values of the variables. Such equations are called identities. Here are some examples of identities.
[latex]3(x + y) =3x + 3y[/latex]
[latex](x + 1)^2 = x^2 + 2x + 1[/latex]
In an identity, the expressions on either side of the equal sign are equivalent expressions, because they have the same value for all values of the variable.
An identity is an equation that is true for all legitimate values of the variables.
Which of the following equations are identities?
- [latex]\displaystyle 3s + 7s = 10s[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 5c(c - 2s) = 5c^2 - 10cs[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 2t - 1 = 3[/latex]
Solution
Many of the algebraic operations you have already learned, such as combining like terms or applying the distributive law, produce equivalent expressions.
- Equation (a) is an identity obtained by combining like terms on the left side.
- Equation (b) is an identity obtained by applying the distributive law on the left side.
- Equation (c) is not an identity, because the equation is true only for [latex]t = 2{.}[/latex]
Checkpoint 5.42.
Which of the following equations are identities?
- [latex]\displaystyle (c - s)(c + s) = c^2 - s^2[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 3t^2 = 1[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle (2c + 1) + (s - 3) = 2c + s - 2[/latex]
Solution
(a) and (c)
Of course, you wouldn’t be asked to solve an identity, because all values of the variable are solutions. Instead, we use identities to replace one form of an expression by a more useful form. You do this when you solve a quadratic equation by factoring. For example,
[latex]2x^2 - x - 1 = 0[/latex] Factor the left side.
[latex](2x+ 1)(x - 1) =0[/latex]
Because [latex](2x+ 1)(x - 1)[/latex] is equivalent to [latex]2x^2 - x - 1{,}[/latex] we have not changed the equation or its solutions. But now we can apply the Zero Factor principle and solve the equation.
Using identities is especially useful when we are working with trigonometric ratios.
Because the identity
[latex]2x^2 - x - 1 = (2x + 1)(x - 1)[/latex]
is true for any value of [latex]x{,}[/latex] it is true when [latex]x[/latex] is replaced, for instance, by [latex]\cos \theta{.}[/latex] This gives us a new identity
[latex]2\cos^2 \theta - \cos \theta - 1 = (2\cos \theta + 1)(\cos \theta - 1)[/latex]
Expressions involving [latex]\sin \theta, \cos \theta, {or} \tan \theta[/latex] can be manipulated by the same rules (such as the distributive law or the laws of exponents) that we use with simple variables.
Which of the following equations are identities?
- [latex]\displaystyle 3\sin \theta + 7\sin \theta = 10\sin \theta[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 5\cos \theta(\cos \theta - 2\sin \theta) = 5\cos \theta^2 - 10c\sin \theta[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 2\tan \theta - 1 = 3[/latex]
Solution
These equations are obtained from the equations in the previous example by replacing the variable [latex]s[/latex] with [latex]\sin \theta{,}[/latex] the variable [latex]c[/latex] with [latex]\cos \theta{,}[/latex] and the variable [latex]t[/latex] with [latex]\tan \theta{.}[/latex] Equations (a) and (b) are identities, and equation (c) is not, for the same reasons as before.
Checkpoint 5.44.
Which of the following equations are identities?
- [latex]\displaystyle (\cos \theta - \sin \theta)(\cos \theta + \sin \theta) = \cos^2 \theta - \sin^2 \theta[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle 3\tan^2 \theta = 1[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle (2\cos \theta + 1) + (\sin \theta - 3) = 2\cos \theta + \sin \theta - 2[/latex]
Solution
(a) and (c)
Is the equation [latex]\sqrt{x^2} = x[/latex] an identity? The answer is no! Even though the equation is true for all positive values of [latex]x{,}[/latex] it is false for negative values of [latex]x{.}[/latex] For example, if [latex]x = -3{,}[/latex] then
[latex]\sqrt{x^2} = \sqrt{(-3)^2} = \sqrt{9} = 3[/latex]
so [latex]\sqrt{x^2} \not= x{.}[/latex] Because the radical symbol [latex]\sqrt{}[/latex] stands for the nonnegative square root, the left side of the equation, [latex]\sqrt{x^2}{,}[/latex] is never negative. Therefore, [latex]\sqrt{x^2}[/latex] cannot equal [latex]x[/latex] when [latex]x[/latex] is a negative number. The equation is false for [latex]x \lt 0{.}[/latex] One way to see that [latex]\sqrt{x^2}[/latex] and [latex]x[/latex] are not equivalent is to compare the graphs of [latex]Y_1 = \sqrt{x^2}[/latex] and [latex]Y_2 = x{,}[/latex] shown below. You can see that [latex]\sqrt{x^2}[/latex] and [latex]x[/latex] do not have the same value for [latex]x \lt 0{.}[/latex]Thus, to check whether an equation is an identity, we can compare graphs of [latex]Y_1 =[/latex] (left side of the equation) and [latex]Y_2 =[/latex] (right side of the equation). If the two graphs are identical, the equation is an identity. If the two graphs are not the same, the equation is not an identity.
Which of the following equations are identities?
- [latex]\displaystyle \sin 2\alpha = 2\sin \alpha[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \cos (x + 1) = \cos x[/latex]
Solution
- Compare the graphs of [latex]Y_1 = \sin 2x[/latex] and [latex]Y_2 = 2\sin x{.}[/latex] Enter the two equations in the ZTrig window and press ZOOM [latex]7[/latex] to see the graphs shown below.
- To help distinguish which graph is which, we can use the calculator’s trace feature, illustrated in the figure at right. Because there are two distinct graphs, the expressions [latex]\sin 2x[/latex] and [latex]2\sin x[/latex] are not equivalent, and consequently, [latex]\sin 2\alpha = 2\sin \alpha[/latex] is not an identity.
- This time we graph [latex]Y_1 = \cos (x + 1)[/latex] and [latex]Y_2 = \cos x{.}[/latex] Although the graphs appear to be identical, when we use the trace feature we see that their [latex]y[/latex]-values differ at [latex]x = 0[/latex] (and at many other values of [latex]x{.}[/latex]) See the figures below.
- The graphs are so close together that calculator’s resolution does not distinguish them, but tracing the graphs reveals that they are not identical. Because the two graphs differ, the equation [latex]\cos (x + 1) = \cos x[/latex] is not an identity.
Use graphs to decide which of the following equations are identities.
- [latex]\displaystyle \cos 2\theta = 2\cos \theta[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \cos 2\theta =\cos^2 \theta - \sin^2 \theta[/latex]
- [latex]\displaystyle \cos (\theta ^2) = \cos^2 \theta[/latex]
Solution
(b)
All of the trigonometric functions are related. We begin by considering the relationship between [latex]\sin \theta[/latex] and [latex]\cos \theta{.}[/latex] Complete the following table with exact values.
| [latex]\theta[/latex] |
[latex]\cos \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\sin \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\cos^2 \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\sin^2 \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta[/latex] |
| [latex]0°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]30°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]45°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]60°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]90°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
You should find that all the entries in the last column are 1.
For all of the angles in the table, [latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1[/latex]
We can verify that this equation holds for all angles by graphing the expressions on either side of the equal sign. The graphs of these two functions in the ZTrig window are shown at right.
We see that the graph of [latex]Y_1 = \cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta[/latex] appears identical to the horizontal line [latex]Y_2 = 1{.}[/latex] In fact, the graphs are identical, and the equation [latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1[/latex] is an identity. It is important enough to earn a special name.
For any angle [latex]\theta{,}[/latex]
[latex]{\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1}[/latex]
As you might guess from its name, the Pythagorean identity is true because it is related to the Pythagorean theorem. We have not actually proved the identity, and a skeptical student may wonder if [latex]~~\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta~~[/latex] is only very close to 1, or if it equals 1 for only some values of [latex]\theta{.}[/latex] Homework Problem 77 offers a proof of the Pythagorean identity.
Evaluate [latex]~~\cos^2 (27°) + \sin^2 (27°)~~[/latex] without using a calculator.
Solution
Because the identity [latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1[/latex] is true for any value of [latex]\theta{,}[/latex] it is true in particular for [latex]\theta = 27°{.}[/latex] So [latex]\cos^2 (27°) + \sin^2 (27°) = 1{.}[/latex]
Checkpoint 5.50.
Evaluate [latex]~~5\left[\cos^2 (12°) + \sin^2 (12°)\right]~~[/latex] without using a calculator.
Solution
[latex]5[/latex]
When we solve more complicated trigonometric equations in later chapters, we will need to simplify trigonometric expressions so that they involve only one of the trig functions. The Pythagorean identity is useful when we wish to write an equivalent expression for either [latex]\cos^2 \theta[/latex] or for [latex]\sin^2 \theta{.}[/latex] Note that we can write the identity in two alternate forms:
[latex]{\cos^2 \theta} {= 1 - \sin^2 \theta}\\ {\sin^2 \theta} {= 1 - \cos^2 \theta}[/latex]
Rewrite [latex]\sin \theta \cos^2 \theta[/latex] as an expression involving [latex]\sin \theta[/latex] only.
Solution
Using one of the alternate forms of the Pythagorean identity, we replace [latex]\cos^2\theta[/latex] by [latex]1 - \sin^2 \theta[/latex] to get
[latex]\sin \theta \cos^{2} \theta = \sin \theta (1 - \sin^{2} \theta)[/latex] Apply the distributive law.
[latex]~~= \sin \theta - \sin^3 \theta[/latex]
In the previous example, we have shown that
[latex]\sin \theta \cos^2 \theta = \sin \theta - \sin^3 \theta[/latex]
is an identity.
If we graph
[latex]Y_1 = \sin X \cos^2 X\\ Y_2 = \sin X - \sin^3 X[/latex]
for [latex]~-360° \le X \le 360°,~[/latex] we see that they have the same graph, as shown in the figure.
Checkpoint 5.52.
- Rewrite [latex]\sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha[/latex] as an expression in [latex]\cos \alpha{.}[/latex]
- Verify your identity by graphing.
Solution
[latex]\cos^2 \alpha - \cos^4 \alpha[/latex]
There is also a relationship between the tangent ratio and the sine and cosine. Complete the following table with exact values. You should find that the entries in the last two columns are identical.
| [latex]\theta[/latex] |
[latex]\cos \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\sin \theta[/latex] |
[latex]\dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}[/latex] |
[latex]\tan \theta[/latex] |
| [latex]0°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]30°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]45°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
| [latex]60°[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
[latex]\hphantom{0000}[/latex] |
For the angles in the table,
[latex]\tan \theta = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}[/latex]
Because [latex]\cos 90° = 0{,}[/latex] the quotient [latex]\dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}[/latex] is undefined for [latex]\theta = 90°{,}[/latex] and [latex]\tan 90°[/latex] is undefined, too. The same is true for [latex]\theta = 270°{.}[/latex] For all other angles between [latex]0°[/latex] and [latex]360°{,}[/latex] [latex]\tan \theta = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}{.}[/latex] A proof of the tangent identity is outlined in Homework Problem 78.
For any angle not coterminal with [latex]90°[/latex] or [latex]270°{,}[/latex]
[latex]{\tan \theta = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}}[/latex]
Now we can see how to use identities to simplify trigonometric expressions. One strategy for simplifying a trigonometric expression is to reduce the number of different trig ratios involved. We can use the tangent identity to replace the tangent ratio by sines and cosines.
Simplify the expression [latex]~~\cos \theta \tan \theta + \sin \theta{.}[/latex]
Solution
We apply the tangent identity to replace [latex]~\tan \theta~[/latex] by [latex]~\dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}~[/latex] and obtain
[latex]\cos \theta {\tan \theta} + \sin \theta = \cos \theta \left({\dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}}\right) + \sin \theta\\ = \sin \theta + \sin \theta = 2\sin \theta[/latex]
Checkpoint 5.54.
Simplify the expression [latex]~~(1 + \tan^2 \theta)(1 - \cos^2 \theta){.}[/latex]
Solution
[latex]\tan^2 x[/latex]
All three of the trigonometric functions of an angle are related. If we know the value of one of the three, we can calculate the other two (up to sign) by using the Pythagorean and tangent identities. We do not need to find the angle itself in order to do this. We need only know in which quadrant the angle lies to determine the correct sign for the trig ratios.
If [latex]~\sin \theta = \dfrac{7}{25}~[/latex] and [latex]~90° \lt \theta \lt 180°~,[/latex] find [latex]\cos \theta[/latex] and [latex]\tan \theta{.}[/latex]
Solution
We substitute [latex]~\sin \theta = \dfrac{7}{25}~[/latex] into the Pythagorean identity [latex]~\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1~[/latex] to get
[latex]\cos^2 \theta + \left(\dfrac{7}{25}\right)^2 = 1[/latex] Isolate [latex]\cos^2 \theta[/latex].
[latex]\cos^2 \theta = 1 - \left(\dfrac{7}{25}\right)^2 style{{1 - \left(\frac{7}{25}\right)^2 = 1 - \frac{49}{625} = \frac{625-49}{625}}}[/latex]
[latex]\cos^2 \theta = \dfrac{576}{625}[/latex] Take square roots.
[latex]\cos \theta = \pm \sqrt{\dfrac{576}{625}} \pm \dfrac{24}{25}[/latex]
Because [latex]\theta[/latex] is between [latex]90°[/latex] and [latex]180°{,}[/latex] [latex]\cos \theta[/latex] must be negative, so [latex]\cos \theta = \dfrac{-24}{25}{.}[/latex] To find [latex]\tan \theta{,}[/latex] we use the tangent identity.
[latex]\tan \theta = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} = \dfrac{7/25}{-24/25} = \dfrac{-7}{24}[/latex]
We can also solve the previous example by sketching an appropriate triangle. We begin by drawing an obtuse angle [latex]\theta[/latex] and its reference triangle. Because [latex]\sin \theta = \dfrac{7}{25}{,}[/latex] we can choose a point on the terminal side to have [latex]y[/latex]-coordinate 7 and [latex]r = 25{,}[/latex] as shown below. In order to calculate [latex]\cos \theta[/latex] and [latex]\tan \theta{,}[/latex] we must find the [latex]x[/latex]-coordinate of the point. By the Pythagorean theorem,
[latex]x^2 + 7^2 = 25^2[/latex] Isolate [latex]x^{2}[/latex].
[latex]x^2 = 576[/latex] Take square roots.
[latex]x = -24[/latex]
Note that [latex]x[/latex] is negative because the point [latex](x,7)[/latex] is in the second quadrant. Then
[latex]\cos \theta = \dfrac {x}{r} = \dfrac{-24}{25}~~~~~~{and}~~~~~~\tan \theta = \dfrac {y}{x} = \dfrac{7}{-24} = \dfrac{-7}{24}[/latex]
Checkpoint 5.56.
- If [latex]~\cos \theta = \dfrac{5}{13}~[/latex] and [latex]~-90° \lt \theta \lt 0°~,[/latex] find [latex]\sin \theta[/latex] and [latex]\tan \theta{.}[/latex]
- Find [latex]\sin \theta[/latex] and [latex]\tan \theta[/latex] by using an appropriate sketch.
Solution
[latex]\sin \theta = \dfrac{-12}{13}{,}[/latex] [latex]~ \tan \theta = \dfrac{-12}{5}[/latex]
Now we’ll see how identities are useful for solving trigonometric equations. So far we have only solved equations that involve a single trigonometric ratio. If the equation involves more than one trig function, we use identities to rewrite the equation in terms of a single trig function.
Solve [latex]~~\cos^2 A - \sin^2 A - \sin A = 0 ~~[/latex] for [latex]0° \le A \le 360°{.}[/latex]
Solution
The equation involves both the cosine and sine functions, and we will rewrite the left side in terms of the sine only. To eliminate the cosines, we use the Pythagorean identity [latex]\cos^2 A = 1 - \sin^2 A{.}[/latex]
[latex]\cos^2 A - \sin^2 A - \sin A = 0[/latex] Replace [latex]\cos^2 A[/latex] by [latex]1 - \sin^2 A[/latex].
[latex](1 - \sin^2 A) - \sin^2 A - \sin A = 0[/latex] Combine like terms.
[latex]1 - 2\sin^2 A - \sin A = 0[/latex] Multiply both sides by -1.
[latex]2\sin^2 A + \sin A - 1 = 0[/latex] Factor the left side.
[latex](2\sin A - 1)(\sin A + 1) = 0[/latex]
Set each factor equal to zero to see that either [latex]\sin A = \frac{1}{2}[/latex] or [latex]\sin A = -1{.}[/latex] Now, [latex]\sin A = \frac{1}{2}[/latex] when [latex]A = 30°[/latex] or [latex]A = 150°{,}[/latex] and [latex]\sin A = -1[/latex] when [latex]A = 270°{.}[/latex] The solutions are [latex]A = 30°,~A = 150°{,}[/latex] or [latex]A = 270°{.}[/latex]
Checkpoint 5.58.
Solve [latex]~~1 - \sin^2 \theta + \cos \theta = 0~~[/latex] for [latex]0° \le\theta\le 360°{.}[/latex]
Solution
[latex]90°{,}[/latex] [latex]~180°{,}[/latex] [latex]~270°[/latex]
Like the Pythagorean identity, the tangent identity can be helpful in solving trigonometric equations.
Solve [latex]~~\cos B + \sqrt{3} \sin B = 0~~[/latex] for [latex]0° \le B \le 360°{.}[/latex]
Solution
We first try to write the equation in terms of a single trig function.
[latex]\sqrt{3} \sin B = -\cos B[/latex]Divide both sides by [latex]\cos B[/latex] and [latex]\sqrt{3}[/latex].
[latex]\dfrac {\sin B} {\cos B} = \dfrac{-1} {\sqrt{3}}[/latex] Apply the tangent identity.
[latex]\tan B = \dfrac{-1} {\sqrt{3}}[/latex]
Because [latex]\tan 30° = \dfrac{-1}{\sqrt{3}}{,}[/latex] we see that [latex]B[/latex] has a reference angle of [latex]30°{.}[/latex] And because the tangent is negative in the second and fourth quadrants, we have [latex]B = 150°[/latex] or [latex]B = 330°{,}[/latex] as shown in the figure.
Checkpoint 5.60.
Solve [latex]~~2 \tan \beta \cos \beta - \sqrt{3} = 0~~[/latex] for [latex]0° \le \beta \le 360°{.}[/latex]
Solution
[latex]60°{,}[/latex] [latex]~ 120°[/latex]
When we show that one trigonometric expression is equivalent to another expression, we have proved a trigonometric identity. In a previous example we proved that the equation
[latex]\cos \theta \tan \theta + \sin \theta = 2\sin \theta[/latex]
is an identity; it is true for all values of [latex]\theta{.}[/latex] A common strategy for proving an identity is to transform one side of the equation using equivalent expressions until it is identical to the other side. To help us choose the transformations at each step of the proof, we try to match the algebraic form of the final expression.
Prove the identity [latex]~~1 + \tan^2 t = \dfrac{1}{\cos^2 t}[/latex]
Solution
By manipulating the left side of the equation, we will show that the expression [latex]1 + \tan^2 t[/latex] is equivalent to [latex]\dfrac{1}{\cos^2 t}{.}[/latex] First, we use the tangent identity to write the expression in terms of sines and cosines:
[latex]1 + \tan^2 t = 1 +\left(\dfrac{\sin t}{\cos t}\right)^2 = 1 + \dfrac{\sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex]
Next, we notice that the right side of the proposed identity has only one term, so we combine the terms on the left side. So that the fractions have the same denominator, we write 1 as [latex]\dfrac{\cos^2 t}{\cos^2 t}{.}[/latex]
[latex]{1} + \dfrac{\sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t} = {\dfrac{\cos^2 t}{\cos^2 t}} + \dfrac{\sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t} = \dfrac{\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex]
Finally, we apply the Pythagorean identity to the numerator.
[latex]\dfrac{\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t} = \dfrac{1}{\cos^2 t}[/latex]
Thus, [latex]1 + \tan^2 t = \dfrac{1}{\cos^2 t}{,}[/latex] and the identity is proved.
When you write out the proof of an identity, you should transform the expression on one side of the identity into the expression on the other side, showing one step of the calculation on each line of your proof. You can provide a justification for each step to the right of the calculation. The proof of the identity in the previous example would look like this:
[latex]1 + \tan^2 t = 1 +\left(\dfrac{\sin t}{\cos t}\right)^2[/latex] Replace [latex]\tan t { by } \dfrac{\sin t}{\cos t}[/latex]
[latex]= 1 + \dfrac{\sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex] Square the fraction.
[latex]= \dfrac{\cos^2 t}{\cos^2 t} + \dfrac{\sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex] Replace 1 by [latex]\dfrac{\cos^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex]
[latex]= \dfrac{\cos^2 t + \sin^2 t}{\cos^2 t}[/latex] Add fractions.
[latex]= \dfrac{1}{\cos^2 t}[/latex] Apply Pythagorean identity.
Checkpoint 5.62.
Prove the identity [latex]~~2\cos^2 x - 1 = 1 - 2\sin^2 x[/latex]
Solution
[latex]2 \cos^2 x - 1 = 2(1 - \sin^2 x) = 2 - 2\sin^2 x - 1 = 1 - 2\sin^2 x[/latex]
Vocabulary
- Conditional equation
- Identity
- Equivalent expressions
Concepts
- An equation that is true only for certain values of the variable, and false for others, is called a conditional equation. An equation that is true for all legitimate values of the variables is called an identity.
- The expressions on either side of the equal sign in an identity are called equivalent expressions, because they have the same value for all values of the variable.
- We often use identities to replace one form of an expression by a more useful form.
- To check whether an equation is an identity we can compare graphs of [latex]Y_1 =[/latex] (left side of the equation) and [latex]Y_2 =[/latex] (right side of the equation). If the two graphs agree, the equation is an identity. If the two graphs are not the same, the equation is not an identity.
- Pythagorean Identity. For any angle [latex]\theta{,}[/latex]
[latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1[/latex]
Alternate forms:
[latex]\cos^2 \theta = 1 - \sin^2 \theta\\ \sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta[/latex]
- Tangent Identity. For any angle not coterminal with [latex]90°[/latex] or [latex]270°{,}[/latex]
[latex]\tan \theta = \dfrac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}[/latex]
- To solve an equation involving more than one trig function, we use identities to rewrite the equation in terms of a single trig function.
- To prove an identity, we write one side of the equation in equivalent forms until it is identical to the other side of the equation.
Study Questions
- What is the difference between a conditional equation and an identity? Give an example of each.
- What happens when you try to “solve” an identity?
- Explain how to use graphs to verify an identity.
- Delbert claims that since [latex]\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1{,}[/latex] we can take the square root of both sides to get the simpler form [latex]\cos \theta + \sin \theta = 1{.}[/latex] Is he correct? Why or why not?
- If [latex]\dfrac{a}{b} = \dfrac{2}{5}{,}[/latex] is it necessarily true that [latex]a = 2[/latex] and [latex]b = 5{?}[/latex] Explain. If [latex]\tan \theta = \dfrac{3}{11}{,}[/latex] is it true that [latex]\sin \theta = 3[/latex] and [latex]\cos \theta = 11{?}[/latex]