Can Trig Identities be Derived from Easier Formulas?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the tangent double angle formula, specifically \(\tan(2a)\), using simpler formulas. Participants confirm that \(\tan(2a)\) can be derived from the addition formula \(\tan(A+B) = \frac{\tan(A)+\tan(B)}{1-\tan(A)\tan(B)}\) and by utilizing the definitions of sine and cosine in terms of \(\tan(ax) = \frac{\sin(ax)}{\cos(ax)}\). The derivation of \(\tan(2a)\) is explicitly shown as \(\tan(2a) = \frac{2\tan(a)}{1-\tan^2(a)}\), linking it to the double angle formulas for sine and cosine.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically double angle formulas.
  • Familiarity with Euler's identity and its applications in trigonometry.
  • Knowledge of the tangent addition formula: \(\tan(A+B) = \frac{\tan(A)+\tan(B)}{1-\tan(A)\tan(B)}\).
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills to simplify trigonometric expressions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the sine and cosine double angle formulas from Euler's identity.
  • Explore the geometric interpretations of trigonometric addition formulas.
  • Learn about the applications of tangent in calculus, particularly in derivatives and integrals.
  • Investigate advanced trigonometric identities and their proofs for deeper understanding.
USEFUL FOR

Students of mathematics, educators teaching trigonometry, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of trigonometric identities and their derivations.

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I know you can derive the double angle formulas for sin(2a) and cos(2a) from Euler's identity, but is there any way to derive the tan(2a) in a similar manner from an easier formula? What about the addition/subtraction formulas (i.e. sin(a+b), etc.)
 
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daigo said:
I know you can derive the double angle formulas for sin(2a) and cos(2a) from Euler's identity, but is there any way to derive the tan(2a) in a similar manner from an easier formula? What about the addition/subtraction formulas (i.e. sin(a+b), etc.)

Using the addition formula for tan would be the easiest: $\tan(A+B) = \frac{\tan(A)+\tan(B)}{1-\tan(A)\tan(B)}$

Alternatively you can use the fact that $\tan(ax) = \frac{\sin(ax)}{\cos(ax)}$ (where a is a constant) together with your values for sin(2a) and cos(2a).
 
Last edited:
daigo said:
I know you can derive the double angle formulas for sin(2a) and cos(2a) from Euler's identity, but is there any way to derive the tan(2a) in a similar manner from an easier formula? What about the addition/subtraction formulas (i.e. sin(a+b), etc.)

\[\tan(2a)=\frac{\sin(2a)}{\cos(2a)}=\frac{2\sin(a) \cos(a)}{\cos^2(a)-\sin^2(a)}\]

Now divide top and bottom by \(\cos^2(a)\)

CB
 
daigo said:
I know you can derive the double angle formulas for sin(2a) and cos(2a) from Euler's identity, but is there any way to derive the tan(2a) in a similar manner from an easier formula? What about the addition/subtraction formulas (i.e. sin(a+b), etc.)

In...

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/TrigonometricAdditionFormulas.html

... a purely geometric way to obtain the sine of the sum of two angles is given...

Kind regards

chi sigma
 

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