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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

Popular Right Angled Triangles

What are the values for these trigonometric functions considering the right
angled triangles above:
1 √2 √3
sin 30𝑜 = sin 45𝑜 = sin 60𝑜 =
2 2 2
√3 √2 1
cos 30𝑜 = cos 45𝑜 = cos 60𝑜 =
2 2 2

𝑜√3 tan 45𝑜 = 1 tan 60𝑜 = √3

tan 30 =
3
The above values are expected to be known. If you have trouble the triangles
above will help you to remember.
New Trig ratios
1
sin 𝜃 csc 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
“Cosecant”

1
cos 𝜃 sec 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
“Secant”

1
tan 𝜃 cot 𝜃 =
tan 𝜃
“Cotangent”
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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

It is also true that:

sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
tan 𝜃 = cot 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃

It is known that:
𝑜𝑝𝑝 𝑜𝑝𝑝
sin 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗
𝑎𝑑𝑗
cos 𝜃 =
ℎ𝑦𝑝
By considering the ratios above show that:
sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
Proof:
𝑜𝑝𝑝
sin 𝜃 ()
ℎ𝑦𝑝
=
cos 𝜃 𝑎𝑑𝑗
(ℎ𝑦𝑝)

𝑜𝑝𝑝 ℎ𝑦𝑝
=( )( )
ℎ𝑦𝑝 𝑎𝑑𝑗
𝑜𝑝𝑝
=
𝑎𝑑𝑗
= tan 𝜃
Now if:
sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
Then show that:
cos 𝜃
cot 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃
Proof:
1
cot 𝜃 =
tan 𝜃
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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

1
=
sin 𝜃
(cos 𝜃)

1 cos 𝜃
= ×
1 sin 𝜃
cos 𝜃
=
sin 𝜃
A Confusing Notation
For all the trig identities (using sine as an example):
(sin 𝜃)𝑛 = sin𝑛 𝜃
For example:
(cos 𝜃)3 = cos 3 𝜃
NOTE!!!!
Take special care with the power of −1
(cos 𝜃)−1 ≠ cos −1 𝜃
This is because the notation is reserved for inverses. This is why in most cases
the new trig functions introduced above are used instead:
(cos 𝜃)−1 = sec 𝜃
Also since we are on the topic of confusing notations:
Cosecant is sometimes abbreviated as:
csc 𝜃 𝑜𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑐 𝜃
Our First Trig Identity
Consider the triangle:

c
h

𝜃
b
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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

ℎ
sin 𝜃 =
𝑐
𝑐 × sin 𝜃 = ℎ … (i)
𝑏
cos 𝜃 =
𝑐
𝑐 × cos 𝜃 = 𝑏 … (ii)
Also from Pythagoras’ theorem:
ℎ2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2
Substituting (i) and (ii) we get:
(𝑐 sin 𝜃)2 + (𝑐 cos 𝜃)2 = 𝑐 2
𝑐 2 sin2 𝜃 + 𝑐 2 cos 2 𝜃 = 𝑐 2
𝑐 2 (sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃) = 𝑐 2
Divide both sides by 𝑐 2
sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 = 1 … (1)
The most popular trig identity. No trig class is complete without him. Commit
him to memory.
New Identities formed from (1)
From sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 = 1 we can get other identities by transposition.
Making cos 2 𝜃 the subject:
cos 2 𝜃 = 1 − sin2 𝜃

Making sin2 𝜃 the subject:

sin2 𝜃 = 1 − cos 2 𝜃

Dividing through by cos 2 𝜃:

tan2 𝜃 + 1 = sec 2 𝜃 … (2)

Dividing through by sin2 𝜃:

1 + cot 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃 … (3)
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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

This section is all about proving identities so let’s get some practice by proving
(2) and (3)
Using (1) show that:
tan2 𝜃 + 1 = sec 2 𝜃
Proof:
sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 = 1

Divide both sides by cos 2 𝜃:

sin2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 1
+ =
cos 2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃
sin2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 1
+ =
cos 2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃
1
Things cancel and remember sec 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃

tan2 𝜃 + 1 = sec 2 𝜃 … (2)

Using (1) show that:
1 + cot 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃
Proof:
sin2 𝜃 + cos 2 𝜃 = 1
Divide both sides by sin2 𝜃:
sin2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 1
+ =
sin2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃

sin2 𝜃 cos 2 𝜃 1
+ =
sin2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃 sin2 𝜃
1
Things cancel and remember csc 𝜃 =
sin 𝜃

1 + sec 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃 … (3)

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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

Our “First” Proof:

With what we know now we can do something “useful” by proving trig
identities. Now there are a few things to note when proving a trig identity:
1. Only work with one side and get it to look like the other
 Working both sides like an equation implies that the expression is
true. Your job is to prove that it is true. You should not prove
something already assuming it is true. (generally speaking)

2. Numbered identities are assumed to be known and need not be

proven again
 You do not need to reproduce the proofs for any identity numbered
on the paper. They are given and already assumed true. Use them
as tools and treat them as if they are general knowledge (even
though the knowledge may not seem so… general)

3. There are many ways to prove an identity

 There are many avenues you can take to prove an identity. No one
way is absolutely correct, some are faster some are shorter. Try and
discover alternate paths yourself.

4. Start with the more complicated side first

 The more complex the side the more avenues you have to work
with. Once you take your time and keep doing the correct
substitutions you will eventually get there.

5. We cannot explore every trick or example under the sun

 As previously said there is no right way or wrong way to work a
trig problem and all the tricks that can be used will not be
exhausted. More practice makes you faster and makes things seem
easier.
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Trigonometric Identities
By: Mr. A. Maxwell

With that said let us prove the identity:

cot 2 𝜃 − tan2 𝜃 ≡ 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃 − sec 2 𝜃
I will work from the left hand side:
𝐿. 𝐻. 𝑆 =
cot 2 𝜃 − tan2 𝜃 =
Remember (tan2 𝜃 + 1 = sec 2 𝜃) and (1 + cot 2 𝜃 = csc 2 𝜃) transpose and
make cot 2 𝜃 and tan2 𝜃 the subject in each:
(csc 2 𝜃 − 1) − (sec 2 𝜃 − 1) =
Expand brackets:
csc 2 𝜃 − 1 − sec 2 𝜃 + 1 =
csc 2 𝜃 − 1 − sec 2 𝜃 + 1 =
csc 2 𝜃 − sec 2 𝜃 =
𝑅. 𝐻. 𝑆
Great!! That was easy.

To Be Continued!!!!!
(dun-dun-duhhhhhh)