Double-angle identities let you express trigonometric functions of 2ฮธ in terms of ฮธ. They're super handy for simplifying complex expressions and solving tricky equations. You'll use these a lot in trig, so get comfy with them!
Half-angle identities do the opposite, expressing trig functions of ฮธ/2 in terms of ฮธ. These are great for dealing with radicals and solving equations. Remember, the sign of your answer depends on which quadrant the angle's in.
Double-Angle Identities
Double-angle formulas for trigonometric functions
- $\sin(2\theta) = 2\sin\theta\cos\theta$ expresses double angle in terms of single angle sine and cosine
- Cosine double-angle offers three equivalent forms:
- $\cos(2\theta) = \cos^2\theta - \sin^2\theta$ utilizes difference of squares
- $\cos(2\theta) = 2\cos^2\theta - 1$ eliminates sine term
- $\cos(2\theta) = 1 - 2\sin^2\theta$ eliminates cosine term
- $\tan(2\theta) = \frac{2\tan\theta}{1-\tan^2\theta}$ relates double angle tangent to single angle tangent
- Derivation methods involve sum formulas and Pythagorean identity
- Applications include simplifying complex expressions (trigonometric ratios) and solving equations (finding angle values)
Half-Angle Identities
Half-angle formulas for trigonometric functions
- $\sin(\frac{\theta}{2}) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos\theta}{2}}$ expresses half-angle sine in terms of cosine
- $\cos(\frac{\theta}{2}) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1+\cos\theta}{2}}$ relates half-angle cosine to full angle cosine
- Tangent half-angle offers three equivalent forms:
- $\tan(\frac{\theta}{2}) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1-\cos\theta}{1+\cos\theta}}$ uses both positive and negative roots
- $\tan(\frac{\theta}{2}) = \frac{\sin\theta}{1+\cos\theta}$ eliminates square root
- $\tan(\frac{\theta}{2}) = \frac{1-\cos\theta}{\sin\theta}$ alternative form without square root
- Derivation methods use double-angle formulas and algebraic manipulation
- Sign selection depends on angle quadrant (positive in quadrants I and II, negative in III and IV)
Simplification with angle identities
- Strategies involve identifying identity opportunities and choosing most appropriate
- Common techniques include substituting double-angle formulas (reducing powers) and applying half-angle formulas (simplifying radicals)
- Verification requires checking domain restrictions (avoiding undefined values) and confirming equivalence (graphing or evaluating)
Equations using angle identities
- Strategies involve recognizing patterns matching formulas and substituting identities
- Solution methods:
- Algebraically manipulate equation
- Factor to isolate trigonometric term
- Solve resulting quadratic equations
- Verification includes checking solution ranges (0 to 2ฯ or -ฯ to ฯ) and eliminating extraneous solutions
- Real-world applications found in physics (projectile motion) and engineering (signal processing)