Bicycle ramps made for competition (see [link]) must vary in height depending on the skill level of the competitors. For advanced competitors, the angle formed by the ramp and the ground should besuch thatThe angle is divided in half for novices. What is the steepness of the ramp for novices? In this section, we will investigate three additional categories of identities that we can use to answer questions such as this one.
Using Double-Angle Formulas to Find Exact Values
In the previous section, we used addition and subtraction formulas for trigonometric functions. Now, we take another look at those same formulas. The double-angle formulas are a special case of the sum formulas, whereDeriving the double-angle formula for sine begins with the sum formula,
If we letthen we have
Deriving the double-angle for cosine gives us three options. First, starting from the sum formula, and letting we have
Using the Pythagorean properties, we can expand this double-angle formula for cosine and get two more interpretations. The first one is:
The second interpretation is:
Similarly, to derive the double-angle formula for tangent, replacingin the sum formula gives
The double-angle formulas are summarized as follows:
Given the tangent of an angle and the quadrant in which it is located, use the double-angle formulas to find the exact value.
- Draw a triangle to reflect the given information.
- Determine the correct double-angle formula.
- Substitute values into the formula based on the triangle.
- Simplify.
Given thatandis in quadrant II, find the following:
If we draw a triangle to reflect the information given, we can find the values needed to solve the problems on the image. We are givensuch thatis in quadrant II. The tangent of an angle is equal to the opposite side over the adjacent side, and becauseis in the second quadrant, the adjacent side is on the x-axis and is negative. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the hypotenuse:
Now we can draw a triangle similar to the one shown in [link].
- Let’s begin by writing the double-angle formula for sine.
We see that we to need to findandBased on [link], we see that the hypotenuse equals 5, so andSubstitute these values into the equation, and simplify.
Thus,
- Write the double-angle formula for cosine.
Again, substitute the values of the sine and cosine into the equation, and simplify.
- Write the double-angle formula for tangent.
In this formula, we need the tangent, which we were given asSubstitute this value into the equation, and simplify.
Given within quadrant I, find
Use the double-angle formula for cosine to writein terms of
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.
Establish the following identity using double-angle formulas:
We will work on the right side of the equal sign and rewrite the expression until it matches the left side.
This process is not complicated, as long as we recall the perfect square formula from algebra:
whereandPart of being successful in mathematics is the ability to recognize patterns. While the terms or symbols may change, the algebra remains consistent.
Establish the identity:
Verify the identity:
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.
Here is a case where the more complicated side of the initial equation appeared on the right, but we chose to work the left side. However, if we had chosen the left side to rewrite, we would have been working backwards to arrive at the equivalency. For example, suppose that we wanted to show
Let’s work on the right side.
When using the identities to simplify a trigonometric expression or solve a trigonometric equation, there are usually several paths to a desired result. There is no set rule as to what side should be manipulated. However, we should begin with the guidelines set forth earlier.
Verify the identity:
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 withSolve for
Next, we use the formulaSolve for
The last reduction formula is derived by writing tangent in terms of sine and cosine:
The reduction formulas are summarized as follows:
Write an equivalent expression forthat does not involve any powers of sine or cosine greater than 1.
We will apply the reduction formula for cosine twice.
The solution is found by using the reduction formula twice, as noted, and the perfect square formula from algebra.
Use the power-reducing formulas to prove
We will work on simplifying the left side of the equation:
Note that in this example, we substituted
forThe formula states
We letso
Use the power-reducing formulas to prove that
Using Half-Angle Formulas to Find Exact Values
The next set of identities is the set of half-angle formulas, which can be derived from the reduction formulas and we can use when we have an angle that is half the size of a special angle. If we replacewith the half-angle formula for sine is found by simplifying the equation and solving forNote that the half-angle formulas are preceded by asign. This does not mean that both the positive and negative expressions are valid. Rather, it depends on the quadrant in whichterminates.
The half-angle formula for sine is derived as follows:
To derive the half-angle formula for cosine, we have
For the tangent identity, we have
The half-angle formulas are as follows:
Findusing a half-angle formula.
Since we use the half-angle formula for sine:
Notice that we used only the positive root becauseis positive.
Given the tangent of an angle and the quadrant in which the angle lies, find the exact values of trigonometric functions of half of the angle.
- Draw a triangle to represent the given information.
- Determine the correct half-angle formula.
- Substitute values into the formula based on the triangle.
- Simplify.
Given that andlies in quadrant III, find the exact value of the following:
Using the given information, we can draw the triangle shown in [link]. Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we find the hypotenuse to be 17. Therefore, we can calculateand
- Before we start, we must remember that, ifis in quadrant III, thensoThis means that the terminal side ofis in quadrant II, since
To find we begin by writing the half-angle formula for sine. Then we substitute the value of the cosine we found from the triangle in [link] and simplify.
We choose the positive value ofbecause the angle terminates in quadrant II and sine is positive in quadrant II.
- To find we will write the half-angle formula for cosine, substitute the value of the cosine we found from the triangle in [link], and simplify.
We choose the negative value ofbecause the angle is in quadrant II because cosine is negative in quadrant II.
- To find we write the half-angle formula for tangent. Again, we substitute the value of the cosine we found from the triangle in [link] and simplify.
We choose the negative value ofbecauselies in quadrant II, and tangent is negative in quadrant II.
Given thatandlies in quadrant IV, find the exact value of
Now, we will return to the problem posed at the beginning of the section. A bicycle ramp is constructed for high-level competition with an angle offormed by the ramp and the ground. Another ramp is to be constructed half as steep for novice competition. Iffor higher-level competition, what is the measurement of the angle for novice competition?
Since the angle for novice competition measures half the steepness of the angle for the high level competition, andfor high competition, we can findfrom the right triangle and the Pythagorean theorem so that we can use the half-angle identities. See [link].
We see thatWe can use the half-angle formula for tangent:Sinceis in the first quadrant, so isThus,
We can take the inverse tangent to find the angle:So the angle of the ramp for novice competition is
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with double-angle, half-angle, and reduction formulas.
Key Equations
Double-angle formulas | |
Reduction formulas | |
Half-angle formulas |
Key Concepts
- Double-angle identities are derived from the sum formulas of the fundamental trigonometric functions: sine, cosine, and tangent. See [link], [link], [link], and [link].
- Reduction formulas are especially useful in calculus, as they allow us to reduce the power of the trigonometric term. See [link] and [link].
- Half-angle formulas allow us to find the value of trigonometric functions involving half-angles, whether the original angle is known or not. See [link], [link], and [link].
Section Exercises
Verbal
Explain how to determine the reduction identities from the double-angle identity
Use the Pythagorean identities and isolate the squared term.
Explain how to determine the double-angle formula forusing the double-angle formulas forand
We can determine the half-angle formula forby dividing the formula forbyExplain how to determine two formulas for that do not involve any square roots.
multiplying the top and bottom byand respectively.
For the half-angle formula given in the previous exercise forexplain why dividing by 0 is not a concern. (Hint: examine the values ofnecessary for the denominator to be 0.)
Algebraic
For the following exercises, find the exact values of a) b) and c)without solving for
If andis in quadrant I.
a)b)c)
If andis in quadrant I.
If andis in quadrant III.
a)b)c)
If andis in quadrant IV.
For the following exercises, find the values of the six trigonometric functions if the conditions provided hold.
and
and
For the following exercises, simplify to one trigonometric expression.
For the following exercises, find the exact value using half-angle formulas.
For the following exercises, find the exact values of a) b) and c)without solving for
If andis in quadrant IV.
If andis in quadrant III.
a)b)c)
If andis in quadrant II.
If andis in quadrant II.
a)b)c)
For the following exercises, use [link] to find the requested half and double angles.
Find and
Find and
Find and
Find and
For the following exercises, simplify each expression. Do not evaluate.
For the following exercises, prove the identity given.
For the following exercises, rewrite the expression with an exponent no higher than 1.
Technology
For the following exercises, reduce the equations to powers of one, and then check the answer graphically.
For the following exercises, algebraically find an equivalent function, only in terms ofand/orand then check the answer by graphing both equations.
Extensions
For the following exercises, prove the identities.
- Precalculus
- Preface
- Functions
- Linear Functions
- Polynomial and Rational Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
- Trigonometric Functions
- Periodic Functions
- Trigonometric Identities and Equations
- Further Applications of Trigonometry
- Systems of Equations and Inequalities
- Introduction to Systems of Equations and Inequalities
- Systems of Linear Equations: Two Variables
- Systems of Linear Equations: Three Variables
- Systems of Nonlinear Equations and Inequalities: Two Variables
- Partial Fractions
- Matrices and Matrix Operations
- Solving Systems with Gaussian Elimination
- Solving Systems with Inverses
- Solving Systems with Cramer's Rule
- Analytic Geometry
- Sequences, Probability and Counting Theory
- Introduction to Calculus
- Appendix
This example illustrates that we can use the double-angle formula without having exact values. It emphasizes that the pattern is what we need to remember and that identities are true for all values in the domain of the trigonometric function.