Trigonometric Identities

Apply trig identities for IB Maths. Prove identities and simplify expressions using Pythagorean, double angle, and compound formulas.

Trig identities are used to simplify expressions, prove results, and solve equations in IB Maths.

Essential Identities

Pythagorean

sin⁡2θ+cos⁡2θ=1\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1

Double Angle

sin⁡2θ=2sin⁡θcos⁡θ\sin 2\theta = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta

cos⁡2θ=cos⁡2θ−sin⁡2θ=2cos⁡2θ−1=1−2sin⁡2θ\cos 2\theta = \cos^2\theta - \sin^2\theta = 2\cos^2\theta - 1 = 1 - 2\sin^2\theta

Compound Angle

sin⁡(A±B)=sin⁡Acos⁡B±cos⁡Asin⁡B\sin(A \pm B) = \sin A\cos B \pm \cos A\sin B

cos⁡(A±B)=cos⁡Acos⁡B∓sin⁡Asin⁡B\cos(A \pm B) = \cos A\cos B \mp \sin A\sin B

Proving Identities

Work on one side only and transform it to match the other.

Example

Prove sin⁡2θ1+cos⁡2θ=tan⁡θ\frac{\sin 2\theta}{1 + \cos 2\theta} = \tan\theta.

LHS = 2sin⁡θcos⁡θ1+2cos⁡2θ−1=2sin⁡θcos⁡θ2cos⁡2θ=sin⁡θcos⁡θ=tan⁡θ\frac{2\sin\theta\cos\theta}{1 + 2\cos^2\theta - 1} = \frac{2\sin\theta\cos\theta}{2\cos^2\theta} = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} = \tan\theta = RHS ✓

Practice Problems

    1. Prove 1−cos⁡2θsin⁡2θ=tan⁡θ\frac{1 - \cos 2\theta}{\sin 2\theta} = \tan\theta.
    1. Solve cos⁡2x+cos⁡x=0\cos 2x + \cos x = 0 for 0≤x≤2π0 \leq x \leq 2\pi.

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Key Takeaways

  • ✓

    Identities are in the data booklet.

  • ✓

    Work one side to match the other.

  • ✓

    cos⁡2θ\cos 2\theta has three forms — choose wisely.

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