How Do You Simplify cos^4x Using Trigonometric Identities?

[david18]

Hi, I get stuck on the 3rd part of this question:

(i) Draw sketches of the functions sin x and sin^2x over the range -360<x<360.
(ii) Explain why, for the range 0 < x < 90=2, sin x is smaller than tan x.
(iii) Using the equality cos^2x=\frac{1}{2}(1+cos2x) or otherwise, express
cos^4xin terms of cos2x and cos4x.

My attempt at part iii:

I squared the left hand side of cos^2x=\frac{1}{2}(1+cos2x) to get cos^4x and therefore squared the right hand side as well, leaving the right hand side as \frac{1}{4}(1+cos2x)^2

I'm presuming I have to square the right hand bracket out but I'm unsure on what (cos2x)^2 becomes.

Any help would be appreciated

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[HallsofIvy]

If you know (because it was just given!) that
cos^2(a)= \frac{1}{2}(1+ cos(2a)
for any a, then what is cos^2(2x)?

 

[david18]

Thanks for the reply, following your method I ended up with \frac{3}{8}+\frac{1}{2}cos2x+\frac{1}{4}cos4x

Just out of interest, if I were to square cos2x would I have to use the knowledge given in the question or does it equal something obvious?

 

[HallsofIvy]

Only the "obvious" cos^4(2x)! But then you could use the same identities to reduce that. It's just easier to use the already factored form.