Notes: (Topic 3.

12) Equivalent Representations of Trigonometric Functions

In this section, we will explore several ways to write equivalent representations of trigonometric expressions. We already
have several tools in our math tool box that we can use to write trigonometric expressions in different forms.

Trigonometric Identities
1 1 1 1
sin x = cos x = tan x = cot x =
csc x sec x cot x tan x
1 1 sin x cos x
csc x = sec x = tan x = cot x =
sin x cos x cos x sin x

These identities allow us to manipulate trigonometric expressions and rewrite these expressions in equivalent forms using
various trig functions.

( sin x ) ( sec2 x )
Example 1: Let f ( x ) = . Rewrite f ( x ) as an expression involving tan x and no other trigonometric
csc x
functions.

Example 2: Let g ( x ) = ( csc x )( tan x ) . Rewrite g ( x ) as an expression involving sec x and no other trigonometric
functions.

Additionally, we can discover several interesting properties and identities that arise from our understanding of the unit
circle and trigonometric functions. First, let’s start by relooking at the unit circle.

For the unit circle, any point ( x, y ) can also be expressed as ( cos  , sin  ) , where x = cos  and y = sin  . We can
apply the Pythagorean Theorem to this right triangle, resulting in the identity sin  + cos  = 1! This identity is pretty
2 2

remarkable: for any angle, the square of the sine of the angle plus the square of the cosine of the angle always equals 1.
We call this the Pythagorean identity for trigonometric functions.

Notes: Topic 3.12 Equivalent Representations of Trig Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
The Pythagorean identity can be manipulated into other forms as well that give us additional identities connecting
trigonometric functions.

For example, we can show that 1 + tan 2  = sec 2  by dividing each term in the identity sin 2  + cos 2  = 1 by cos 2  .

sin 2  cos 2  1
sin  + cos  = 1 
2 2
+ =  tan 2  + 1 = sec 2  .
cos  cos  cos 
2 2 2

Additionally, we can show that 1 + cot  = csc  by dividing each term in the Pythagorean identity by sin  .
2 2 2

The Pythagorean Identity and Equivalent Forms

sin 2  + cos 2  = 1 1 + tan 2  = sec 2  1 + cot 2  = csc 2 

Let’s see if we can find another identity by using the unit circle above. When we inscribe a right triangle inside the unit
circle, we can express the height of the triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem: x 2 + h 2 = 1  h = 1 − x 2 .
This leads us to the triangle shown below.

x 1 − x2
With this triangle, we can see that cos  =   = cos −1 x and sin  =   = sin −1 1 − x 2 , which leads us
1 1
to the identity cos −1 x = sin −1 1 − x 2 . Similarly, we can show that sin −1 x = cos −1 1 − x 2 .

Inverse Trigonometric Identities

cos −1 x = sin −1 1 − x 2 sin −1 x = cos −1 1 − x 2

arccos x = arcsin 1 − x 2 arcsin x = arccos 1 − x 2

Notes: Topic 3.12 Equivalent Representations of Trig Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
 tan x
Example 3: The function f is given by f ( x ) = . Rewrite f ( x ) as a fraction involving powers of cos x and no
csc x
other trigonometric functions.

Sum Identities for Sine and Cosine

Two additional identities that are important are the sum identities for sine and cosine. Given any two angles  and  ,
sin ( +  ) = sin  cos  + cos  sin  and cos ( +  ) = cos  cos  − sin  sin  .

Using these two identities, we can also derive identities for sin ( −  ) , cos ( −  ) , sin ( 2 ) , cos ( 2 ) .

Sum and Difference Identities

Double Angle Identities

sin ( 2 ) = 2sin  cos  cos ( 2 ) = cos 2  − sin 2  = 1 − 2sin 2  = 2 cos 2  − 1

 
Example 4: Which of the following is equivalent to the expression 2sin cos ?
14 14
    
(A) sin (B) sin cos (C) sin (D) cos
28 7 7 7 7

Example 5: The function k is given by k ( x ) = 4 cos ( 2 x ) . Which of the following is an equivalent form for k ( x ) ?
(B) 4 − 8cos x (C) 8cos x − 4 (D) 4 cos x + 4sin x
2 2 2 2
(A) 8sin x cos x

   
Example 6: Which of the following is equivalent to the expression cos cos − sin sin ?
8 16 8 16
  3 3
(A) cos (B) sin (C) cos (D) sin
16 16 16 16

Notes: Topic 3.12 Equivalent Representations of Trig Functions Created by Bryan Passwater
Example 7: The figure shows a circle centered at the origin with an angle of measure 𝜃 in standard position. The
terminal ray of the angle intersects the circle at point 𝑃. The coordinates of 𝑃 are (5, 12). Which of the value of sin 2 ?

Example 8: The figures show two circles centered at the origin with angle measures of  and  , respectively, in
standard position. The terminal ray of angle  intersects the circle at point P , and the terminal ray of angle  intersects

( )
the circle at point Q. The coordinates of P are −5, 11 and the coordinates of Q are 2, 5 . ( )
a) Find cos ( 2 ) . b) Find sin ( +  ) . c) Find cos ( −  ) .

Notes: Topic 3.12 Equivalent Representations of Trig Functions Created by Bryan Passwater