4.
2 Graphs of Trigonometric Equations;
Trigonometric Identities
(MAT 049-PreCalculus)
NESTOR G. ACALA, PhD
Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University Main Campus
Marawi City
[email protected] • The graphs of y = sin x and y = cos x
To observe some of the porperties of the trigonometric functions, we sketch their
graphs. We consider first the sine and cosine functions.
To sketch the graph of the functions y = sin x and y = cos x, we construct table
of values of special angles from −2π to 2π , plot these points, and connect them
with a smooth curve.
x −2π − 32π −π − π2 0 π
2 π 3π
2 2π
y = sin x 0 1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 0
y = cos x 1 0 −1 0 1 0 −1 0 1
Figure: The graphs of y = sin x and y = cos x .
You may have observed a repeating patterns on the graph of the sine and cosine
functions on a certain distance or interval. The values of these functions repeat
themselves every 2π units. That is, for any x ∈ R,
sin(x + 2π = sin x and cos(x + 2π) = cos x .
To see this graphically, if we translate the graph of these functions to the left or
right by 2π units, we still obtain the same original graphs. In this case, we say
that each of these functions is periodic.
A function f is said to be periodic, if there exists a positive constant p such that
f (x + p ) = f (x ), ∀x ∈ Df .
The smallest such positive number p is called the period of the function.
Example: Consider any real number x. Note that x + 2π represents one full
revolution( counterclockwise) of the angle x. Hence, the angles x and x + 2π
are coterminal. Thus,
sin(x + 2π) = sin x .
In general, for any n ∈ Z, we can take x + n(2π) as the |n| number of full
revolutions of the angle x. Consequently, x and x + 2nπ have the same
terminal side. Hence,
sin(x + 2nπ) = sin x .
Note that p = 2π is the smallest distance such that
sin(x + p ) = sin x .
That is, the period of y = sin x is 2π . Similarly, the period of y = cos x is 2π .
We summarize the the properties of y = sin x and y = cos x in the next table.
y = sin x y = cos x
1. Domain R R
2. Range [−1, 1] or [−1, 1] or
−1 ≤ sin x ≤ 1, ∀x ∈ R −1 ≤ cos x ≤ 1, ∀x ∈ R
3. Period 2π 2π
4. Zeroes x = nπ, n ∈ Z x = (2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z
(x-intercepts) (multiples of π ) (odd multiples of π2 )
or terminal sides or terminal sides
lie on the x −axis lie on the y −axis
A function f is said to be an odd function if for any number x ∈ Df ,
f (−x ) = −f (x ). A function f is said to be an even function if for any number
x ∈ Df , f (−x ) = f (x ). Sine is an odd function and cosine is an even function,
that is
sin(−θ) = − sin θ and cos(−θ) = cos θ.
These facts follow from the symmetry of the unit circle about the x-axis. The
terminal side of angle −θ is a reflection of the terminal side of angle θ across the
x −axis. Flipping a point (x , y ) to the other side of the x-axis makes it into
(x , −y ), so the y -coordinate is negated, that is, the sine is negated, but the
x-coordinate remains the same, that is, the cosine is unchanged.
• The graphs of y = tan x and y = cot x
The tangent and cotangent functions can be expressed in terms of sine and
cosines as follows:
sin x cos x
tan x = and cot x =
cos x sin x
Here is the summary of their properties:
sin x cos x
y = tan x = y = cot x =
cos x sin x
1. Domain R − {(2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z} R − {nπ, n ∈ Z}
2. Range R R
3. Period π π
4. Zeros(x-intercepts) x = nπ, n ∈ Z x = (2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z
5.Vertical x = (2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z x = nπ, n ∈ Z
Asymptotes or or
x = ± 2 , ± 32π , ± 52π , · · ·
π
x = 0, ±π, ±2π, ±3π, · · ·
Figure: The graphs of y = tan x and y = cot x .
• The graphs of y = csc x and y = sec x
The cosecant and sine functions can be expressed in terms of sine and cosine
functions as follows:
1 1
sec x = and csc x = .
cos x sin x
The graphs of the cosecant and secant functions can be constructed by finding
the reciprocals of the values of the sine and cosine functions, respectively.
Here is the summary of their properties:
1 1
y = sec x = y = csc x =
cos x sin x
1. Domain R − {(2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z} R − {nπ, n ∈ Z}
2. Range (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞) (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞)
3. Period 2π 2π
Vertical x = (2n + 1) π2 , n ∈ Z x = nπ, n ∈ Z
Asymptotes or or
x = ± π2 , ± 32π , ± 52π , · · · x = 0, ±π, ±2π, ±3π, · · ·
Figure: The graphs of y = csc x and y = sec x .
Trigonometric Identities
An identity is an equation that is true for all possible replacements of the
variables. The knowlegde of trigonometric identities help us simplify, solve, and
evaluate complex trigonometric expressions.
Consider an angle θ in standard position whose terminal side intersects the unit
circle at the point (x , y ).
Fundamental Identities
By definition of the six circular functions, we obtain the following basic
trigonometric identities:
1 1 x 1 x cos θ
i. csc θ = = iii. cot θ = = v. cot θ = =
y sin θ y tan θ y sin θ
1 1 y sin θ
ii. sec θ = = iv. tan θ = =
x cos θ x cos θ
Identities (i), (ii) and (iii) are called reciprocal identities while identities (iv)
and (v) are called qoutient identities.
Applying Pythagorean theorem on the right triangle in the previous slide, we
obtain x 2 + y 2 = 1. Since (x , y ) = (cos θ, sin θ), by substitution, we obtain the
identity
vi. cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 .
It is conventional in trigonometry to use cos2 θ rather than (cos θ)2 . Note that
cos2 θ = (cos θ)2 .
Now, dividing both sides of the preceeding identity by sin2 θ, we get
cos2 θ sin2 θ 1
+ = ,
sin2 θ sin2 θ sin2 θ
which simplifies to the next identity,
vii. 1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ .
Dividing both sides of identity (vi) by cos2 θ, we get
cos2 θ sin2 θ 1
2
+ 2
= ,
cos θ cos θ cos2 θ
which simplifies to,
viii. 1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ .
Identities (vi), (vii), and (viii) are called Pythagorean identities.
Note: All the previous dentities hold no matter what variables are used for the
angle θ. For instance, we could write cos2 x + sin2 x = 1, or cos2 t + sin2 t = 1.
Example: Find the exact values of the other five trigonometric functions
given that cos θ = 25 and sin θ < 0.
Solution:By Pythagorean identity (vi), we have
2
2
+ sin2 θ = 1
5
4 21
sin2 θ = 1 − = .
25 25
Since sin θ < 0, we choose
r √
21 21
sin θ = − =− .
25 5
Applying the fundamental trigonometric identities, we have
1 5
sec θ = =
cos θ 2
5
csc θ = − √
21
√ √
sin θ 21 5 21
tan θ = =− · =−
cos θ 5 2 2
1 2
cot θ = = −√ .
tan θ 21
Example: Find the exact values of the other five trigonometric functions
given that sec t = − 54 , and the terminal side of angle t lies on QIII.
Solution:Applying Pythagorean identity (vii), we have
2
2 5 25 25 9
1 + tan t = − = ⇒ tan2 t = −1= .
4 16 16 16
Since, the terminal side of angle t is located on QIII, we have that tan t > 0.
Hence, we choose, r
9 3
tan t = = .
16 4
Using reciprocal identities (ii) and (iii), we have
1 4
cos t = =−
sec t 5
1 4
cot t = = .
tan t 3
Moreover, by identities (iv) and (i), we get
3 4 3
sin t = tan t · cos t = · − =−
4 5 5
1 5
csc t = =− .
sin t 3
Sum and Difference of Angles Identities
In this section, we derive some important trigonometric identities involving sum
and difference of two angles.
Let α, β be two angles in standard form, and suppose that the terminal sides of
angle α and β intercept at the unit circle at points P and Q respectively. Hence,
P = (cos α, sin α) and Q = (cos β, sin β) (see next figure).
Label two more points on the unit circle: A at an angle (α − β) from the
positive x-axis and point B (1, 0). Note that A = (cos[α − β], sin[α − β]).
Moreover, 4POQ is a rotation of 4AOB. Thus, |PQ | = |AB |. By distance
formula, we have
|PQ |2 = (cos α − cos β)2 + (sin α − sin β)2
= cos2 α − 2 cos α cos β + cos2 β + sin2 α − 2 sin α sin β + sin2 β
= (cos2 α + sin2 α) + (cos2 β + sin2 β) − 2 cos α cos β − 2 sin α sin β
= 2 − 2 cos α cos β − 2 sin α sin β.
Similarly,
|AB |2 = [cos(α − β) − 1]2 + [sin(α − β) − 0]2
= cos2 (α − β) − 2 cos(α − β) + 1 + sin2 (α − β)
= 2 − 2 cos(α − β).
Thus,
2 − 2 cos α cos β − 2 sin α sin β = 2 − 2 cos(α − β).
Simplifying the expression we obtain the identity
ix. cos(α − β) = cos α cos β + sin α sin β .
Now for the sum of two angles, we express α + β as the difference α − (−β).
Using identity (ix), we have
cos(α + β) = cos[α − (−β)] = cos α cos(−β) + sin α sin(−β).
Finally, using fact that sin(−x ) = − sin x and cos(−x ) = cos x for all x ∈ R, we
get
x. cos(α + β) = cos α cos β − sin α sin β .
The sine of sum or difference of two angles can be derived in the same manner as
for the cosine. They are given as follows:
xi. sin(α − β) = sin α cos β − cos α sin β
and
xii. sin(α + β) = sin α cos β + cos α sin β .
To find the tangent of sum or difference of two angles, we use the identity
sin x
tan x = , cos x 6= 0 and use the identities for sine and cosine of sum or
cos x
difference of two angles.
To do this, we have
sin (α + β)
tan (α + β) =
cos(α + β)
sin α cos β + cos α sin β
=
cos α cos β − sin α sin β
sin α cos β + cos α sin β sin α cos β cos α sin β
+
cos α cos β cos α cos β cos α cos β
= =
cos α cos β − sin α sin β cos α cos β sin α sin β
−
cos α cos β cos α cos β cos α cos β
Thus,
sin α sin β
+
cos α cos β
tan (α + β) =
sin α sin β
1−
cos α cos β
tan α + tan β
= .
1 − tan α tan β
Hence, we have the identity for tangent of sum of angles:
tan α + tan β
xiii. tan(α + β) = .
1 − tan α tan β
The tangent of the difference of two angles can be derived in a similar manner
and it is given by
tan α − tan β
xiv. tan(α − β) = .
1 + tan α tan β
Note: The derived identities hold true for angles in degrees or in radian
measures.
Example: Find the exact value of cos 75◦ .
Solution:Note that 75◦ = 30◦ + 45◦ . Applying cosine of sum if two angles, we get
cos(75◦ ) = cos(30◦ + 45◦ )
= cos 30◦ cos 45◦ − sin 30◦ sin 45◦
√ √ √
3 2 1 2
= · − ·
√2 2
√ 2 2
6− 2
= .
4
π
Example: Find the exact value of sin(− 12 ).
π π
Solution:It can be seen that − 12 = 6 − π4 . Thus, using sine of difference of two
angles, we obtain
π π π
sin(− ) = sin −
12 6 4
π π π π
= sin cos − cos sin
6√ 4√ √6 4
1 2 3 2
= · − ·
2√ 2 √ 2 2
2− 6
= .
4
Example: Find the exact value of tan 512π .
5π π
Solution:One can verify that 12 = 6 + π4 . Using the addition formula for
tangent, we have
5π π π
tan = tan +
12 6 4
tan π6 + tan π4
=
1 − tan π6 · tan π4
√
3
√
3
√ √ √
3 √+1 3 + 1 3 3+3 3+ 3 12 + 6 3 √
= = √ · = √ · √ = = 2 + 3.
1 − 33 · 1 1 − 33 3 3− 3 3+ 3 6
Double and Half-Angle Formulas
Applying the sine and cosine of sum of two angles yields
sin 2θ = sin(θ + θ) = sin θ cos θ + cos θ sin θ
cos 2θ = cos(θ + θ) = cos θ cos θ − sin θ sin θ.
Simplifying further, we obtain the double-angle formulas:
xv. sin 2θ = 2 sin θ cos θ and xvi. cos 2θ = cos2 θ − sin2 θ .
Using the Pythagorean identity cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1, we can write identity (xvi) as
xv. cos 2θ = 1 − 2 sin2 θ or xvi. cos 2θ = cos2 θ − 1 .
θ
Replacing θ by 2in the double-angle formulas for cosine in (xv), we obtain
2 θ 2 θ
cos θ = 1 − 2 sin and cos θ = 2 cos − 1.
2 2
Solving for sin 2θ and cos 2θ , we get the half-angle formulas:
q q
1−cos θ
xvii. sin θ
2 =± 2 and xviii. cos θ
2 = ± 1+cos
2
θ
.
Note: The signs of sin 2θ and cos 2θ depend on the quadrant or axis where the
terminal side of the angle 2θ lies.
Example: Use half-angle formulas to find the exact value of cos(−15◦ ).
◦
Solution:Note that −15◦ = −302 and its terminal side lies in QI, hence
◦
cos(−15 ) is positive. Thus,
r
−30◦ 1 + cos(−30◦ )
◦
cos(−15 ) = cos =
2 2
√
s
1 + 23
=
2
√ √
s p
2+ 3 2+ 3
= = .
4 2
Example: Use half-angle formulas to find the exact value of sin 98π .
9π
Solution:Since the terminal side of 8 is located in QIII, sin 98π is negative. Note
9π
9π
that 8 = 2
4
. Thus,
! s
9π 9π
9π 4 1 − cos 4
sin = sin =−
8 2 2
√
s
2
1− 2
=−
2
√ √
s p
2− 2 2− 2
=− =− .
4 2
Exercise: Do as directed.
1. Use sum or difference of angles formulas to evaluate the following
exactly.
a. sin 105◦ π
c. cos(− 12 ) e. sin 712π
b. tan 75◦ d. sec(−75◦ )
2. Find the values of the other trigonometric functions given the following
conditions.
a. sin θ = − 52 and terminal side of θ lies in QIII
b. tan θ = 43 and cos θ < 0
c. sec θ = − 23 and csc θ > 0
√
d. cos θ = 53 and tan θ < 0
e. csc θ = 2 and the terminal side of θ lies in QII.
