Math 30-1 Chapter 6 Trigonometry Review

Equation: can be solved. It is only true for certain values of the variable x.
Ex.

2 x 2 +3=11

Identity: It is true for all values of the variable x.

Ex.

( x+1 )2 =x2 +2 x+ 1

Verify: prove that the identity is true for a certain angle. You simply plug in the angle
and prove that the LS = RS. However, you need to use your unit circle or special
triangles as you are not allowed to have decimals.

Ex. Verify that = 60 for

tan x

sin x
cos x .

L.S.

R.S.

tan 60

sin 60
cos 60

3
3 (using special triangles)

3 2

2 1
3

LS = RS
Non-permissible values: we look for the values that make the denominator = 0.
Remember that not only do you need to look for the obvious denominators, you need to
check to see if there are any hidden denominators. Once youve found the
denominators, then you need to solve for all the values of x.
Prove: you must show that the LS = RS. You can do this graphically or algebraically. If
you are proving graphically, you put the left side of the equation into y1 and the right
side of the equation into y2. If it is the same graph on both sides, it may be an identity.
To prove algebraically, you must use the identities from the formula sheet and prove
that the left side equals the right side.

Reciprocal Identities:

csc x

1
sin x

sec x

Quotient Identities:
sin x
tan x
cos x

1
cos x

cot x

cot x

1
tan x

cos x
sin x

Pythagorean Identities:

sin 2 x cos 2 x 1

1 tan 2 x sec 2 x

1 cot 2 x csc 2 x

Remember that you can rearrange these identities as necessary.

Sum and Difference Identities:
sin( A B ) sin A cos B cos A sin B
sin( A B ) sin A cos B cos A sin B
cos( A B) cos A cos B sin A sin B
cos( A B) cos A cos B sin A sin B
tan A tan B
tan( A B )
1 tan A tan B
tan A tan B
tan( A B )
1 tan A tan B
Double Angle Identities:
sin 2 A 2sin A cos A
cos 2 A cos 2 A sin 2 A
cos 2 A 1 2sin 2 A
cos 2 A 2cos 2 A 1
tan 2 A

2 tan A
1 tan 2 A

Thankfully, these are on the formula sheet so they do not need to be memorized.
However, we can use them in a number of problems.
1. Simplifying expressions into single trigonometric functions:
2. Finding exact values of angles that are not on our special triangle.

3. Proving identities.
4. Solving equations.
To prove that an identity is true for all permissible values, it is necessary to express both
sides of the identity in equivalent forms. One or both sides of the identity must be
algebraically manipulated into an equivalent form to match the other side.
You cannot perform operations across the equal sign when proving a potential identity.
The equal sign is a border! Simplify the expressions on each side of the identity
independently.
Hints in Proving an Identity:
1. Use the Pythagorean identities or double-angle identities to simplify
2. Change everything to sine and cosine
3. If there is a sum or difference of fractions, write as a single fraction. In other words,
find a common denominator.
4. Factor
5. Multiply by the conjugate.
Solving: these questions are more complicated than the ones from chapter 4 and 5
because they involve multiple trig ratios. However, they can be solved by graphing (the
easiest method) or algebraically by substituting in other identities. Often, you need to
find the general solution as well.