VERIFYING TRIGONOMETRIC IDENTITIES

Fundamental Trigonometric Identities
The Reciprocal and Quotient Identities have been introduced earlier. They will be presented one
more time because we will have to use them again in our next work. Relearn them !!!

Reciprocal Identities

Quotient Identities

Identities for Negatives

Pythagorean Identities

Manipulating Trigonometric Expressions
Please note the following:

1. Adding or subtracting trigonometric expressions:

the common denominator is sin x cos x

to add the two fractions the number 1 has to be multiplied by cos x and the
expression tan x by sin x, and finally we get

both fractions already have the same denominator, therefore

the common denominator is

to add the two fractions, the number 3 has to be multiplied by (tan x - sec x)
and the number 5 by (tan x + sec x)

and multiplying out the numerator and combining like terms, we finally get

2. Multiplying trigonometric expressions:
(a) Use FOIL to expand the following expression

(b) which is equal to
(c) which is equal to

3. Factoring trigonometric expressions:
(a) Factor out the common factor:

(b) Use the Difference of Squares formula:

4. Separating rational trigonometric expressions:

Note: You cannot cancel out cos x in the fraction above. Only factors can be canceled
in rational expressions.

5. Using fundamental identities to rewrite an expression:

(a) rewrite

Given the fundamental identity
we can rewrite the expression aswhich is equal to

(b) rewrite

Given the fundamental identity
we can rewrite the expression as
which is equal to

Here we can even do more! How about we find the common denominator and
then write the expression as a single fraction?

and using the Pythagorean Identity, we get

which equals

Given the fundamental identity , we can change the
numerator to

which is

Then we can cancel out the expression since it occurs both in the

numerator and in the denominator to findwhich equals

Now that we have learned how to manipulate trigonometric expressions, we will use these concepts
to verify trigonometric identities that are NOT considered to be "fundamental."

Unfortunately, there are no well-defined rules to follow in verifying trigonometric identities, and the
process is best learned by practice. There is no right way or wrong way as long as you follow
established algebra rules.

Besides algebraic rules, there is one rule that you must also follow, and that is that you must either
change the right side to look like the left side or vice versa. DO NOT WORK ON BOTH SIDES OF THE
IDENTITY AT THE SAME TIME!

Guidelines for Verifying Trigonometric Identities

• Try to change the side that appears to be the "more complicated" one first. Note, that "more
complicated" is in the eye of the beholder.
• Use the five (5) manipulations discussed above separately or in combination with each other .
• Let the appearance of the "other side" guide you in your decision-making process!

Example 1:
Verify the identity
Let's assume that the left side of the identity is the "more complicated" one. Therefore, we will try to
change it to look like the right side.
What could we do to the left side?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
Let's change cot x to sines and cosines as follows:

and then we multiply

Now what could we do?

1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? YES
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO

Let's use the common denominator sin x

What now?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
Given the Pythagorean Identity , we can write

and given the Reciprocal Identity, we can show that the left side equals

Example 2:
Verify the identity

Let's assume that the left side of the identity is the "more complicated" one. Therefore, we will try to
change it to look like the right side.

What could we do to the left side?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES

Let's change the left side to sines and cosines as follows

Now what could we do?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? YES
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO

Now, it seems that we are pretty much stuck. There does not seem to be anything else to do to the
left side. OR?
Actually, there is! Here is a neat little trick for you to add to your bags of mathematical tricks . That is,
let's change the appearance of the left side by multiplying it by

Why would we want to do that? Because we want to think ahead! The better you get at thinking
ahead, the easier it will be for you to verify identities. Of course, memorizing the Fundamental
Identities helps tremendously. Let' see what happens:

then

So, what manipulation could we use now to help us along?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
Since we know that , we can write

So, what now?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? YES
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO
That is, we will factor cos x out of the numerator and the denominator, and we find that
the left side equals the right side because

Example 3:
Verify the identity

Let's assume that the left side of the identity is the "more complicated" one. Therefore, we will try to
change it to look like the right side.

Please note that it just so happened that in all three examples the "more complicated"
side is on the left. This was unintentional and happened purely by chance. Certainly
identities can be found whose "more complicated" side is on the right side of the equal
sign . For that matter, all we have to do is switch the sides of the examples above!

What could we do to the left side?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? YES
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO
We will factor the numerator as follows:

Now what?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
We will use the Pythagorean Identity to rewrite the denominator

What's next?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? YES
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO
Noticing that the denominator is the difference of squares and keeping in mind of what
the right side looks like, we will factor the denominator:

All that's left to do now is to reduce to show that the left side looks like the right side

Example 4:

can be reduced to a single number. Find this number.

What could we do?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
We can use Reciprocal Identities to rewrite tangent, cotangent, secant, and cosecant as
follows:

NOTE: While this is certainly a good start, it does not guarantee success. We
might have to give up and think of something else to do! If you are wondering
if you are ever going to have to use this, wait until you get to calculus. It is
often much easier to reduce a "complicated" trigonometric expression to a
single trigonometric ratio when working with calculus concepts.

Since we learned in algebra to always simplify complex fractions, we will multiply both the
numerator and the denominator by the LCD sin x cos x just like we used to do in
algebra.

But before we do this, let's combine the fractions in the numerator of the complex fraction
as follows:

now

Next, we will distribute and at the same time reduce just like we learned in algebra to get

Now what?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? NO
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? YES
We know that (Pythagorean Identity), therefore,
can be reduced to the number 1.

Example 5:

can be reduced to a single trigonometric ratio, such as cos(x), sin(x), tan(x), sec(x), csc(x),or cot(x). Find this ratio.

Since we learned in algebra to always simplify complex fractions, we will multiply both the
numerator and the denominator by the LCD sin x cos x just like we used to do in algebra

Next, we will distribute and at the same time reduce just like we learned in algebra to get

Now what?
1. Add or subtract trigonometric expressions? NO
2. Multiply trigonometric expressions? NO
3. Factor trigonometric expressions? YES
4. Separate rational trigonometric expressions? NO
5. Use fundamental identities to rewrite an expression? NO
Let's factor common factors out of the numerator and the denominator for a lack of
anything better to do.

As you can see, the numerator and denominator have a factor in common and when
reduced we end up with
. Finally, we do know that this equals .

Therefore, we were able to reduce to the single trigonometric ratio

Example 6:

can be reduced to a difference of two trigonometric ratios. Find this difference.

Since we learned in algebra to always simplify complex fractions, we will multiply both the
numerator and the denominator by the LCD sin x cos x just like we used to do in
algebra.

But before we do this, let's combine the fractions in the numerator of the complex fraction
as follows:

Please note that it is not mandatory to write sin x as the first factor in the product sin x
cos x. However, it has become "unofficial" standard practice to do so!

Next,

Finally, we will distribute and at the same time reduce just like we learned in algebra to
get

We find thatcan be reduced to the difference.