How do you get cos{(a+b)}=cos{a}cos{b} - sin{a}sin{b}?

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SUMMARY

The equation cos{(a+b)} = cos{a}cos{b} - sin{a}sin{b} is derived using Euler's formula, specifically e^{i(a+b)} = e^{ia}e^{ib}. By multiplying the complex exponentials, the real part corresponds to cos{(a+b)} and the imaginary part corresponds to sin{(a+b)}. The multiplication of (cos{a} + isin{a}) and (cos{b} + isin{b}) yields the desired trigonometric identities. The final expression confirms that the real and imaginary components are equal to cos{(a+b)} and sin{(a+b)}, respectively.

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Julia Coggins
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How do you get cos{a+b}=cos{a}cos{b} - sin{a}sin{b} from cos{a}cos{b} - sin{a}sin{b} + i(sin{a}cos{b} + cos{a}sin{b}?
From trying to use Euler's formula.
cos{a+b} + isin{a+b} = e^i(a+b)= e^ia + e^ib
(cos{a} + isin{a})(cos{b} + isin{b})
 
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Hi Julia,
Simply carry out (write out) the multiplication: the real part is the ##\cos(\alpha + \beta)## expression and the imaginary part the ##\sin## one !
 
I'm just not sure how to put this in an equation that has sin(a + b) on one side or cos(a+b)
 
I know the real and imaginary parts, I just don't know how to show they're equal to cos{a + b} and sin{a+b} respectively.
 
cos(a+b)=(e^{i(a+b)}+e^{-i(a+b)})/2
cos(a)cos(b)-sin(a)sin(b)=[(e^{ia}+e^{-ia})(e^{ib}+e^{-ib})+(e^{ia}-e^{-ia})(e^{ib}-e^{-ib})]/4<br /> =(e^{i(a+b)}+e^{-i(a+b)})]/2
 
Julia Coggins said:
e^i(a+b)= e^ia + e^ib

No, that's not how exponents work. It should be $$e^{i(a+b)} = e^{ia} e^{ib}$$

EDIT. I see you've written it correctly below that line. If you carry out the multiplication, you'll find that the real part is what you're looking for.
 
  1. e^{i(a+b)}= e^{ia}e^{ib}
  2. e^{i(a+b)}= \cos(a+b) + i\sin(a+b)
  3. e^{ia}e^{ib}=(\cos(a)+i\sin(a))\cdot (\cos(b)+i\sin(b))=(\cos(a) \cos(b)-sin(a)sin(b))+i(\sin(a)\cos(b)+\cos(a)sin(b))
Now the real and imaginary parts must separately be equal to each other.
 
Hello Julia,
Julia Coggins said:
cos{a+b} + isin{a+b} = e^i(a+b)= e^ia + e^ib
(cos{a} + isin{a})(cos{b} + isin{b})
Sorry I missed the plus sign error. It should have been a multiplication. But on the next line you do write a multiplication, so I expect that + was just a typo.

Somewhat contrary to PF culture your helpers have given the full solution. Just to make sure: do you understand it all now ?
 
Yes, thanks all
 

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