Can Trig Identities be Derived from Easier Formulas?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the derivation of trigonometric identities, specifically focusing on the double angle formulas for sine and cosine, as well as the tangent of double angles and addition/subtraction formulas. Participants explore whether these can be derived from simpler formulas or through alternative methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants mention that the double angle formulas for sin(2a) and cos(2a) can be derived from Euler's identity.
  • One participant suggests using the addition formula for tangent, stating that it is the easiest method to derive tan(2a).
  • Another participant proposes using the relationship of tangent with sine and cosine, expressing tan(2a) in terms of sin(2a) and cos(2a) and manipulating the expression further.
  • A participant references a geometric method for deriving the sine of the sum of two angles, indicating that there are alternative approaches to the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on a single method for deriving the tangent double angle formula or the addition/subtraction formulas, as multiple approaches and perspectives are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some methods rely on specific identities or relationships, and the discussion does not resolve which approach may be considered easier or more effective.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in trigonometric identities, mathematical derivations, or alternative methods of proof may find this discussion relevant.

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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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