<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Given sin α = 5 8 , with θ in quadrant I, find cos ( 2 α ) .

cos ( 2 α ) = 7 32

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Using the double-angle formula for cosine without exact values

Use the double-angle formula for cosine to write cos ( 6 x ) in terms of cos ( 3 x ) .

cos ( 6 x ) = cos ( 3 x + 3 x ) = cos 3 x cos 3 x sin 3 x sin 3 x = cos 2 3 x sin 2 3 x
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Using double-angle formulas to verify identities

Establishing identities using the double-angle formulas is performed using the same steps we used to derive the sum and difference formulas. Choose the more complicated side of the equation and rewrite it until it matches the other side.

Using the double-angle formulas to verify an identity

Verify the following identity using double-angle formulas:

1 + sin ( 2 θ ) = ( sin θ + cos θ ) 2

We will work on the right side of the equal sign and rewrite the expression until it matches the left side.

( sin θ + cos θ ) 2 = sin 2 θ + 2 sin θ cos θ + cos 2 θ = ( sin 2 θ + cos 2 θ ) + 2 sin θ cos θ = 1 + 2 sin θ cos θ = 1 + sin ( 2 θ )
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verify the identity: cos 4 θ sin 4 θ = cos ( 2 θ ) .

cos 4 θ sin 4 θ = ( cos 2 θ + sin 2 θ ) ( cos 2 θ sin 2 θ ) = cos ( 2 θ )

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verifying a double-angle identity for tangent

Verify the identity:

tan ( 2 θ ) = 2 cot θ tan θ

In this case, we will work with the left side of the equation and simplify or rewrite until it equals the right side of the equation.

tan ( 2 θ ) = 2 tan θ 1 tan 2 θ Double-angle formula = 2 tan θ ( 1 tan θ ) ( 1 tan 2 θ ) ( 1 tan θ ) Multiply by a term that results in desired numerator . = 2 1 tan θ tan 2 θ tan θ = 2 cot θ tan θ Use reciprocal identity for   1 tan θ .
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Verify the identity: cos ( 2 θ ) cos θ = cos 3 θ cos θ sin 2 θ .

cos ( 2 θ ) cos θ = ( cos 2 θ sin 2 θ ) cos θ = cos 3 θ cos θ sin 2 θ

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Use reduction formulas to simplify an expression

The double-angle formulas can be used to derive the reduction formulas    , which are formulas we can use to reduce the power of a given expression involving even powers of sine or cosine. They allow us to rewrite the even powers of sine or cosine in terms of the first power of cosine. These formulas are especially important in higher-level math courses, calculus in particular. Also called the power-reducing formulas, three identities are included and are easily derived from the double-angle formulas.

We can use two of the three double-angle formulas for cosine to derive the reduction formulas for sine and cosine. Let’s begin with cos ( 2 θ ) = 1 2 sin 2 θ . Solve for sin 2 θ :

cos ( 2 θ ) = 1 2 sin 2 θ 2 sin 2 θ = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) sin 2 θ = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 2

Next, we use the formula cos ( 2 θ ) = 2 cos 2 θ 1. Solve for cos 2 θ :

cos ( 2 θ ) =   2 cos 2 θ 1 1 + cos ( 2 θ ) = 2 cos 2 θ 1 + cos ( 2 θ ) 2 = cos 2 θ

The last reduction formula is derived by writing tangent in terms of sine and cosine:

tan 2 θ = sin 2 θ cos 2 θ = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 2 1 + cos ( 2 θ ) 2 Substitute the reduction formulas . = ( 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 2 ) ( 2 1 + cos ( 2 θ ) ) = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 1 + cos ( 2 θ )

Reduction formulas

The reduction formulas    are summarized as follows:

sin 2 θ = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 2
cos 2 θ = 1 + cos ( 2 θ ) 2
tan 2 θ = 1 cos ( 2 θ ) 1 + cos ( 2 θ )

Writing an equivalent expression not containing powers greater than 1

Write an equivalent expression for cos 4 x that does not involve any powers of sine or cosine greater than 1.

We will apply the reduction formula for cosine twice.

cos 4 x = ( cos 2 x ) 2 = ( 1 + cos ( 2 x ) 2 ) 2 Substitute reduction formula for cos 2 x . = 1 4 ( 1 + 2 cos ( 2 x ) + cos 2 ( 2 x ) ) = 1 4 + 1 2 cos ( 2 x ) + 1 4 ( 1 + cos 2 ( 2 x ) 2 ) Substitute reduction formula for cos 2 x . = 1 4 + 1 2 cos ( 2 x ) + 1 8 + 1 8 cos ( 4 x ) = 3 8 + 1 2 cos ( 2 x ) + 1 8 cos ( 4 x )
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

how does the planets on our solar system orbit
cheten Reply
how many Messier objects are there in space
satish Reply
did you g8ve certificate
Richard Reply
what are astronomy
Issan Reply
Astronomy (from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία (astronomía) 'science that studies the laws of the stars') is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.
Rafael
vjuvu
Elgoog
what is big bang theory?
Rosemary
what type of activity astronomer do?
Rosemary
No
Richard
the big bang theory is a theory which states that all matter was compressed together in one place the matter got so unstable it exploded releasing All its contents in the form of hydrogen
Roaul
I want to be an astronomer. That's my dream
Astrit
Who named the the whole galaxy?
Shola Reply
solar Univers
GPOWER
what is space
Richard
what is the dark matter
Richard
what are the factors upon which the atmosphere is stratified
Nicholas Reply
is the big bang the sun
Folakemi Reply
no
Sokak
bigbang is the beginning of the universe
Sokak
but thats just a theory
Sokak
nothing will happen, don't worry brother.
Vansh
what does comet means
GANGAIN Reply
these are Rocky substances between mars and jupiter
GANGAIN
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases , rock and dust that orbit the sun. They are mostly found between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
Aarya
hllo
John
hi
John
qt rrt
John
r u there
John
hey can anyone guide me abt international astronomy olympiad
sahil
how can we learn right and true ?
Govinda Reply
why the moon is always appear in an elliptical shape
Gatjuol Reply
Because when astroid hit the Earth then a piece of elliptical shape of the earth was separated which is now called moon.
Hemen
what's see level?
lidiya Reply
Did you mean eye sight or sea level
Minal
oh sorry it's sea level
lidiya
according to the theory of astronomers why the moon is always appear in an elliptical orbit?
Gatjuol
hi !!! I am new in astronomy.... I have so many questions in mind .... all of scientists of the word they just give opinion only. but they never think true or false ... i respect all of them... I believes whole universe depending on true ...থিউরি
Govinda
hello
Jackson
hi
Elyana
we're all stars and galaxies a part of sun. how can science prove thx with respect old ancient times picture or books..or anything with respect to present time .but we r a part of that universe
w astronomy and cosmology!
Michele
another theory of universe except big ban
Albash Reply
how was universe born
Asmit Reply
there many theory to born universe but what is the reality of big bang theory to born universe
Asmit
what is the exact value of π?
Nagalakshmi
by big bang
universal
there are many theories regarding this it's on you believe any theory that you think is true ex. eternal inflation theory, oscillation model theory, multiple universe theory the big bang theory etc.
Aarya
I think after Big Bang!
Michele
from where on earth could u observe all the stars during the during the course of an year
Karuna Reply
I think it couldn't possible on earth
Nagalakshmi
in this time i don't Know
Michele
is that so. the question was in the end of this chapter
Karuna
in theory, you could see them all from the equator (though over the course of a year, not at pne time). stars are measured in "declination", which is how far N or S of the equator (90* to -90*). Polaris is the North star, and is ALMOST 90* (+89*). So it would just barely creep over the horizon.
Christopher
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 3

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Algebra and trigonometry' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask