Proving trig identities -- Is the method related to the unit circle?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the assumption that the modulus \( r \) in the expression \( rcis\theta = r[\cos\theta + i\sin\theta] \) is equal to 1 when proving trigonometric identities, specifically the identity for \( \cos(3\theta) \). Participants clarify that while \( r \) can be any scalar, the identity can be proven for integer values of \( r \) using De Moivre's Theorem. The relationship between complex numbers and the unit circle is emphasized, with the modulus of \( \cos(\theta) + i\sin(\theta) \) being 1 when \( \theta \) represents an angle on the unit circle.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of complex numbers and their polar representation
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities and their proofs
  • Knowledge of De Moivre's Theorem
  • Basic concepts of the unit circle in trigonometry
NEXT STEPS
  • Study De Moivre's Theorem and its applications in proving trigonometric identities
  • Learn about the properties of complex numbers and their modulus
  • Explore Euler's formula and its significance in mathematics
  • Practice proving various trigonometric identities using complex numbers
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Students of mathematics, particularly those studying trigonometry and complex analysis, as well as educators looking for insights into teaching trigonometric identities and their proofs.

  • #31
SammyS said:
You tell me.
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!I let ##x = \cos\theta## and ##y = i\sin\theta## from the complex circle.

Many thanks!
 
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  • #32
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!I let ##x = \cos\theta## and ##y = i\sin\theta## from the complex circle.

Many thanks!
No.

##y## does not include the ##i##.

Take some time before blasting back with a thoughtless answer.
 
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  • #33
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @FactChecker!

Sorry never mind. I think I understand now.

##[e^{i\theta}]^3 = e^{3\theta i}## which from the definition of Euler's formula gives
##\cos3\theta + i\sin3\theta## interesting that we don't have to use de moiré's theorem.Many thanks!
I guess it depends on what class this is for, and if you are allowed to use Euler's formula. Many people consider Euler's formula to be the most important equation in mathematics.
 
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  • #34
SammyS said:
No.

##y## does not include the ##i##.

Take some time before blasting back with a thoughtless answer.
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!

I just realized that before I read you reply! For some reason I was thinking that it need an i for a point on a unit circle in complex plane.

Many thanks!
 
  • #35
FactChecker said:
I guess it depends on what class this is for, and if you are allowed to use Euler's formula. Many people consider Euler's formula to be the most important equation in mathematics.
Thank you for your reply @FactChecker !

This is for a linear algebra class.

Many thanks!
 
  • #36
SammyS said:
Not quite right.

Details:

##\displaystyle \sqrt {\cos^2\theta + (i^2\sin\theta)}##

is wrong in a couple of ways,
You still haven't correctly stated what is wrong with this.

BY the way, the rest of what you had was correct, That is; ##\displaystyle r=\sqrt {\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta}=1##
is correct.
 
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  • #37
SammyS said:
You still haven't correctly stated what is wrong with this.

BY the way, the rest of what you had was correct, That is; ##\displaystyle r=\sqrt {\cos^2\theta+\sin^2\theta}=1##
is correct.
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!

What was wrong was the ##i##, if I remove it, it solves the problem. It is kind of cool that it still gave the correct answer with the i, which makes me wonder.

Many thanks!
 
  • #38
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!

What was wrong was the ##i##, if I remove it, it solves the problem. It is kind of cool that it still gave the correct answer with the i, which makes me wonder.

Many thanks!
It does not give the correct answer with the ##i## included, even if you square the ##\sin \theta##.

What is ##\displaystyle i^2## ?
 
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  • #39
SammyS said:
It does not give the correct answer with the ##i## included, even if you square the ##\sin \theta##.

What is ##\displaystyle i^2## ?
Thank you for your reply @SammyS!

Oh true! ##i^2 = -1## - I see now!

Thank you!
 
  • #40
FactChecker said:
No, this is only true if ##|z| = 1##. In general,
##z = |z|e^{i \arg(z)} = |z|(\cos(\arg(z))+i\sin(\arg(z))) = |z|(\cos(\theta)+i\sin(\theta))##, where ##\theta = \arg(z)##.
Yeah true I forgot to write "where ##|z| = 1##" it was very late for me (in little sweden)
 
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  • #41
malawi_glenn said:
Yeah true I forgot to write "where ##|z| = 1##" it was very late for me (in little sweden)
Thank you for your help @malawi_glenn !
 
  • #42
Callumnc1 said:
Oh, so ## r = \sqrt {\cos^2\theta + (i^2\sin\theta)} = \sqrt { \cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta} = 1##
That's just so wrong!
 
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  • #43
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your help @malawi_glenn !
You need to stop cluttering up your threads with all these unnecessary thanks.
 
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  • #44
PeroK said:
You need to stop cluttering up your threads with all these unnecessary thanks.
Thank you for your replies @PeroK!

I like to be thankful to your guys spending you time helping me.
 
  • #45
PeroK said:
That's just so wrong!
Agree!
 
  • #46
PeroK said:
You need to stop cluttering up your threads with all these unnecessary thanks.
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your replies @PeroK!

I like to be thankful to your guys spending you time helping me.
That's a nice sentiment, but I agree with @PeroK that putting in a thank you reply in every post is way overdoing it.
 
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  • #47
Mark44 said:
That's a nice sentiment, but I agree with @PeroK that putting in a thank you reply in every post is way overdoing it.
Ok I will say thank you less in precalculus forums.
 
  • #48
Callumnc1 said:
Ok I will say thank you less in precalculus forums.
No need in making a new reply just to say thanks. A "like" is just as good as showing apprechiation.

We also get a notice that you have replied and thus we check if you have more questions. With likes we just assume it was a thanks
 
Last edited:
  • #49
##|z|^2= z \bar z = r(\cos \theta + i\sin \theta) r(\cos \theta - i \sin \theta) = ... ## please continue
 
  • #50
malawi_glenn said:
##|z|^2= z \bar z = r(\cos \theta + i\sin \theta) r(\cos \theta - i \sin \theta) = ... ## please continue
malawi_glenn said:
No need in making a new reply just to say thanks. A "like" is just as good as showing apprechiation.

We also get a notice that you have replied and thus we check if you have more questions. With likes we just assume it was a thanks
Thank you for your replies @malawi_glenn !

##|z| = r^2[\cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta] = r^2[1] = r^2##

Many thanks!
 
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  • #51
Post #47:
Callumnc1 said:
Ok I will say thank you less in precalculus forums.
Post #50:
Callumnc1 said:
Thank you for your replies @malawi_glenn !
<snip>
Many thanks!
Less ##\ne## more -- just saying.
 
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  • #52
ChiralSuperfields said:
Thank you for your replies @malawi_glenn !

##|z| = r^2[\cos^2\theta + \sin^2\theta] = r^2[1] = r^2##

Many thanks!
The equation should begin with ##|z|^2=\dots##
 
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  • #53
kuruman said:
The equation should begin with ##|z|^2=\dots##
True, thanks for pointing that out @kuruman!
 
  • #54
SammyS said:
What do you mean by "Thanks"?

I intended that you apply that to ##\displaystyle \cos(\theta)+i\sin(\theta)## and show that its Modulus is indeed ##1## .

Math is a not a spectator sport. You must practice and do, not just watch and cheer.
@SammyS you made my day! I'll pass this to my students.

' Math is a not a spectator sport. You must practice and do, not just watch and cheer".

Nice one mate.

:biggrin: :bow: :biggrin:
 
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  • #55
ChiralSuperfields said:
True, thanks for pointing that out @kuruman!
@ChiralSuperfields i would suggest on a light note that you avoid the many thanks remarks in your posts and instead stick to the material/work at hand. That is how you will gain respect and momentum in the subject. Get down to work! Cheers mate.
 
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