# Homework Help: How did they get from step a to step b?

1. Jun 7, 2013

### mpatryluk

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In my calc book, they're calculating the integral of a specific parametric equation.

2. Relevant equations
The rest of the question is fine, im just having trouble with these 2 lines.

I dont understand how cos^2(theta became 1/2(1+ cos2(theta))

Is this a trig relation that im missing somewhere? If so, they should at least reference it at that step, as opposed to expecting us to memorize and recognize like 50 relationships... Otherwise, i'm lost...

As a side note, i've been looking through trig relations online but cant seem to find any mention of this one, so it makes me feel like im missing something

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Last edited: Jun 7, 2013
2. Jun 7, 2013

### D H

Staff Emeritus
Hint: Expand cos(2θ).

3. Jun 7, 2013

### mpatryluk

Considering i don't even know how to begin to start to do that, this tells me i never learned trig properly. I must have really zoned out in quite a few classes when i was in school, lol.

Thank you

4. Jun 7, 2013

### jeppetrost

This is really just one of those formulas you either remember or you don't. No one ever tells you all of them and expects you to remember.
Whenever you run into something like this, wikipedia or wolframalpha are your friends. Eg http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=cos(2θ) (look under multiple argument formulas) or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trig_identities#Double-angle.2C_triple-angle.2C_and_half-angle_formulae .

If you wanna calculate it, write cos (or sin) as exponentialfunctions and play around with those.

5. Jun 7, 2013

### mpatryluk

Ahh that's pretty useful for future reference. Thanks!