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MATH 111: Session 1- Trigonometric functions and

identities

1 Trigonometric Functions
In this topic, we will study periodic trigonometric functions (tan, sin and cos) together with their
derived functions and inverse functions.
Trigonometry is a subject that involves the measurement of sides and angles of triangles, and their
relationships to each other. When studying trigonometry, we can look at the trigonometry in two
dimensions; first by using right angled triangle and also by using a unit circle.

1.1 Trigonometry with right triangles

To define the basic trigonometric ratios, tan, sin and cos, we shall consider the right triangle shown
below
C

se
Opposite

nu
ote
yp
H

θ
A B
Adjacent

Figure 1:

The triangle ABC above can help us define the three basic trigonometric ratios as follows. The sine
of an angle θ abbreviated sin θ is the ratio of opposite side to the hypotenuse.
opposite BC
sin θ = = (1)
hypotenuse AC
The cosine of an angle θ abbreviated as cos θ is defined as
adjacent AB
cos θ = = (2)
hypotenuse AC
In a similar way, we defined tangent of θ as
opposite BC
tan θ = = (3)
adjacent AB
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These three trigonometric ratios only apply to the right triangle. The formula can be abbreviated in
the following acronym, SOHCAHTOA.
Trigonometric functions take an angle and return a value. The easiest way to evaluate them is by
using calculator. When dealing with trigonometric functions, be careful not to confuse angles given in
degrees and radians, i.e. π c = 180◦ .
The trigonometric functions are used to represent phenomenon which are periodic in nature, hence
very useful in mathematical applications, in engineering, physics, biology etc.
If we know the value of trigonometric ratio and need to find the corresponding angle, we use the
inverse trigonometric functions, i.e. arccos, arcsin, arctan etc.
NB: To see the periodic nature of trigonometric functions, draw their curve for the angle in the interval,
0 ≤ θ ≤ 2π c .
Example 1.1. Victor measures the angle of elevation from a point on the ground to the top of a tree
and find it to be 35◦ She then walks 20 metres towards the tree and find the angle of elevation from
this new point to the tip of the top to be 45◦ . Find the height of the tree and write your answer to
three significant figures.

Solution. Consider the figure below

35◦ 45◦
20 x

h h
tan 35 = and tan 45 =
x x − 20
Therefore making x the subject we obtain

h h
= + 20
tan 35 tan 45
h h
− = 20
tan 35 tan 45

20 tan 35 tan 45
∴h= = 46.7m (3s.f )
tan 45 − tan 35

Excercise. 1. One day you stroll down to the river and take a walk along the river bank. At one
point you notice a rock directly across from you. After walking 100 feet downstream you now
have to turn an angle of 32◦ with the river to be looking directly at the rock. How is wide is
the river?
2. Simplify the following
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( ( ))
(a) cot arccos x+1
x−1
( ( 3 ))
(b) cos arcsin 5
( ( ))
(c) cos arctan x22x−1

We recall that cos is an even function while sin and tan are odd functions. Also note that with the right
triangle, we can only find trigonometric ratios of acute angles, but there is need to find trigonometric
ratio of any angle. To do this we use a unit circle to derive there relationships to the trigonometric
ratios of acute angles.

1.2 Trigonometric identities

In order to solve problems involving trigonometric functions, it is important that we know their iden-
tities, which are used in simplifying complex expressions.

1.2.1 Basic trigonometric identities

The basic trigonometric identities are;
sin θ
tan θ =
cos θ
1
csc θ =
sin θ
1
sec θ =
cos θ
1
cot θ =
tan θ

1.3 The Pythagoras identities

The Pythagoras identities are derived from the Pythagoras Theorem on a right-angled triangle. Con-
sider Figure 1. The Pythagoras Theorem is given by

(AB)2 + (BC)2 = (AC)2

Divide through by (AC)2 we obtain;

( )2 ( )2
AB BC
+ =1
AC AC
cos2 θ + sin2 θ = 1 (4)

Divide through Identity (4) by cos2 θ and then use the reciprocal identity to obtain

1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ. (5)

Similarly, divide through (4) by sin2 θ to get

1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ. (6)

The identities (4), (5) and (6) are called the Pythagoras identities.
Example 1.2. Show that
sin θ
+ cot θ = cscθ
1 + cos θ
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Solution.
sin(θ) cos(θ) sin2 (θ) + cos2 (θ) + cos(θ)
+ =
1 + cos(θ) sin(θ) (1 + cos(θ)) sin(θ)
1 + cos(θ)
=
(1 + cos(θ)) sin(θ)
1
= = csc(θ)
sin(θ)

1.4 Sum and difference identities

These identities help us work with the functions of the form sin(x ± y), cos(x ± y) and tan(x ± y). TO
derive the sum and difference identities, we use similar triangles. We therefore get the sum identities
as
sin(x + y) = sin x cos y + cos x sin y
cos(x + y) = cos x cos y − sin x sin y
tan x + tan y
tan(x + y) =
1 − tan x tan y
The difference identities are obtained by setting the angle y = (−y) and noting that the sine and
tangent functions are odd, while cos function is even.
sin(x − y) = sin x cos y − cos x sin y
cos(x − y) = cos x cos y + sin x sin y
tan x − tan y
tan(x − y) =
1 + tan x tan y

Example 1.3. use the known triangle to compute cos 75, sin 75 and tan 75

Solution.
cos(75) = cos(45 + 30)
= cos(45) cos(30) − sin(45) sin(30)
√ √ √
2 3 21
= −
√2 2 √ 2 2
6− 2
=
4
sin and tan can also be obtained in the same way

Example 1.4. Verify that ( π) ( π)

tan θ + · tan θ − =1
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HINT: use the sum and difference identity for tan.

1.5 Double-angle and half angle identities

The double angle and half identities help us find trigonometric ratios of half double and half angles.
Therefore, given trigonometric ratio of an angle say θ, we could find the trigonometric ratio of 2θ and
θ
2
.
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1.5.1 Double-angle formula

To derive the double angle formula, we start from the sum identity. Therefore, suppose that,

sin(x + y) = sin x cos y + cos x sin y,

and let x = y. We therefore after simplification obtain

sin(2θ) = 2 sin θ cos θ (7)

Similarly, suppose
cos(x + y) = cos x cos y − sin x sin y.
Substituting x = y and simplifying we obtain

cos(2θ) = cos2 θ − sin2 θ. (8)

Equations (7) and (8) are referred to as the double angle identities. Recall that you can also find
the double angle formula involving the tangent. To do this, you start with sum identity of tan(x + y)
and replace x = y = θ.
Example 1.5. Given that sin(θ) = 3/5 and cos(θ) = 4/5. Find sin(2θ) and cos(2θ)

Solution. Hint: Apply the double angle identities given above

Example 1.6. Show that

cos(2θ) = 2 cos2 (θ) − 1 = 1 − 2 sin2 (θ)

Solution. Hint: Combine the double angle identity for cosine and the first of the Pythagoras identities.

1.5.2 Half angle identities

Before deriving the half angle identities, we will first state the power reduction identities. The power
reduction identities are derived from the double angle identity Example 1.6. The power reduction
identities are referred to as such since they reduce the power of a trigonometric function.
Consider

cos(2x) = 2 cos2 (x) − 1

1 + cos(2x)
∴ cos2 (x) = (9)
2
Similarly

cos(2x) = 1 − 2 sin2 (x)

1 − cos(2x)
∴ sin2 (x) = (10)
2

The identities (9) and (10) are called the Power reduction identities.
Example 1.7. Using the power reduction identities, show that

3 − 4 cos(2θ) + cos(4θ)
sin4 (θ) =
8
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Solution. Hint: Write sin4 (θ) = sin2 (θ) · sin2 (θ) and then apply power reduction identity and simplify.

To derive the half angle identities, we start from the power reduction identities, take square-root on
both sides and then replace x = x/2. Doing that we obtain,
√
1 − cos(2x)
sin(x/2) = ± (11)
√ 2
1 + cos(2x)
cos(x/2) = ± (12)
2
The sign of the trigonometric identity shall depend on the quadrant in which the angle lie.
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Example 1.8. Find the exact value of sin(θ/2) and cos(θ/2) given that cos(θ) = 8
and 3π < θ <
7π/2.
Example 1.9. Show that
1 − cos x
tan(x/2) =
sin x
Solution. We know that
sin(x/2) sin(x/2)
tan(x/2) = , multiply by
cos(x/2) sin(x/2)
sin2 (x/2)
= , apply half and double angle formulae
cos(x/2) · sin(x/2)
(1 − cos x)/2
=
(sin x)/2
1 − cos x
=
sin x

Example 1.10. Show that

sin x
tan(x/2) =
1 + cos x
Solution. Proved similarly to the previous example.