# Prove another Trigonometric Function

1. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

As you can see, none of my calculations match. Please help anyone. I know this is very difficult to explain but I'm all ears. This question's been bothering me all afternoon. The curriculum does not explain it well. At all.

2. Aug 16, 2008

You got the formulas for cos(X+B) and cos(X-B) wrong.

3. Aug 16, 2008

### Gib Z

4. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

Oh, damn am I stupid. Thanks for telling me about the mistake.

Alright guys, I got the first 2 parts correct so far (because of the correct Cos addition identity). Now on to the next two. I'm not out of the woods yet.

5. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

I'm still having troubles with the last two. I am trying. Please help me if you can.

6. Aug 16, 2008

### Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
Look at your list of trig identities. Which ones involve cos^2 and/or sin^2?

7. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

The First Pythagorean Identities involve cos^2x and sin^2x

But I am still not getting the correct answer.

8. Aug 16, 2008

### Gib Z

Ok, so you know 1. $\sin^2 \theta = 1 - \cos^2 \theta$ 2. $\cos^2 \theta = 1 - \sin^2 \theta$. With your cos^2 - sin^2 form, replace the appropriate terms.

9. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

Ok. I tried doing that but it just brought me back to the original equation.

As well, I don't know how to apply the First Pythagorean Identity to sin or cos if it is multiplied by 2. It changes things. And they never went over how to mechanically solve these operations in my curriculum.

10. Aug 16, 2008

### Sabellic

Okay, I'm trying a direct replacement for the 3 and 4 Parts:

11. Aug 17, 2008

### Redbelly98

Staff Emeritus
Try subbing just one of the expressions, not both.