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Simplifying Trig Identities

This document provides a lesson on simplifying trigonometric expressions using fundamental identities such as reciprocal, quotient, and Pythagorean identities. It includes several example problems demonstrating the simplification process, resulting in expressions like sin θ, sec² θ, tan θ, and csc² θ. The conclusion emphasizes the systematic approach to simplifying trigonometric expressions.

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Gabriel Meyer
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8 views3 pages

Simplifying Trig Identities

This document provides a lesson on simplifying trigonometric expressions using fundamental identities such as reciprocal, quotient, and Pythagorean identities. It includes several example problems demonstrating the simplification process, resulting in expressions like sin θ, sec² θ, tan θ, and csc² θ. The conclusion emphasizes the systematic approach to simplifying trigonometric expressions.

Uploaded by

Gabriel Meyer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

1 Introduction
In this lesson, we discuss how to simplify trigonometric expressions.
Before solving these problems, it is helpful to recall a few fundamental iden-
tities:

1.1 Reciprocal Identities

1
sec θ = ,
cos θ
1
csc θ = .
sin θ

1.2 Quotient Identities

sin θ
tan θ = ,
cos θ
cos θ
cot θ = .
sin θ

1.3 Pythagorean Identities

sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1,
1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ,
1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ.

2 Problem 1
Simplify:
sec θ · cos θ · sin θ.
Using the reciprocal identity for secant:
1
· cos θ · sin θ = sin θ
cos θ

1
The expression simplifies to:
sin θ.

3 Problem 2
Simplify:
tan2 θ + sin2 θ + cos2 θ.
Using the Pythagorean identity sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1, we substitute:

tan2 θ + 1.

Applying 1 + tan2 θ = sec2 θ, we get:

sec2 θ.

4 Problem 3
Simplify:
sin2 θ · csc θ · sec θ.
Using reciprocal identities:
1 1
csc θ = , sec θ = .
sin θ cos θ
Rewriting the expression:
1 1
sin2 θ · · .
sin θ cos θ
Canceling sin θ:
sin θ
= tan θ.
cos θ

5 Problem 4
Simplify:
cot θ · tan θ + cot2 θ.
Using quotient identities:
cos θ sin θ
cot θ = , tan θ = .
sin θ cos θ
Multiplying:
  
cos θ sin θ
= 1.
sin θ cos θ

2
Thus, the expression simplifies to:

1 + cot2 θ.

Using the identity 1 + cot2 θ = csc2 θ, we conclude:

csc2 θ.

6 Conclusion
By applying reciprocal, quotient, and Pythagorean identities, we can systemat-
ically simplify trigonometric expressions.

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