# Pythagorean Identity Proofs?

1. Mar 1, 2006

### Apost8

For homework, we were asked to prove that $$\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$$ is true for all angles $$\theta$$. Can someone please take a look at these and let me know if they are acceptable. I'm pretty sure the second one works, but I'm not sure of the first one, mainly because the premise of the proof is derived from the identity I'm trying to prove. Is that allowable or is that a circular argument? Thanks in advance.

P.S. I'm still trying to get used to LATEX, so please forgive me if I've screwed anything up.

PROOF #1:

Given that: $$\tan^2 \theta + 1= \sec^2 \theta$$

$$\frac{ sin^2 \theta}{cos^ 2 \theta} + 1= \frac {1}{cos^ 2\theta}$$

multiplying by: $$\cos^ 2 \theta$$

I get:

$$\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta =1$$

PROOF #2:

(First I drew a right triangle, labeling x, y, r, and $$\theta$$ ).

Given that: $$x^2 + y^2 = r^2$$

dividing by: $$r^2$$:

$$\frac {x^2} {r^2} + \frac {y^2} {r^2} = \frac {r^2}{r^2}$$

I get:

$$\cos^2 \theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$$.

Last edited by a moderator: Mar 1, 2006
2. Mar 1, 2006

### VietDao29

The first proof is a circular argument. How can one prove that:
tan2x + 1 = sec2x without using the Pythagorean Identity (sin2x + cos2x = 1)?
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For proof 2, what if your $$\theta$$ is negative? I think it will be better if you do it in a unit circle, then to draw a right triangle.
Do you get it? :)

3. Mar 1, 2006

### Apost8

So, for proof two, I need to draw the triangle in a unit circle to show that the statement holds true for a negative value of $$\theta$$?

Last edited: Mar 1, 2006
4. Mar 1, 2006

### VietDao29

Yes, it's correct.
Can you go from there? Note that (-a)2 = a2. And the radius of a unit circle is 1.
Can you go from here? :)

5. Mar 1, 2006

### Apost8

I'm not sure how I would show that $$\cos^2\theta + \sin^2 \theta = 1$$ is true for $$-\theta$$.

$$\cos^2 (-{\theta}) + \sin^2 (-{\theta}) = 1$$

6. Mar 1, 2006

### VietDao29

Let C be the center of a unit circle, and D be a point on the circle, whose coordinate is (cos t, sin t). Now that you'll always have cos2 t + sin2t = x2 + y2 = r2 = 1. (Since the radius of a unit circle is indeed 1). Can you get it? Or is there anything still unclear?
:)

7. Mar 1, 2006

### Apost8

Makes sense to me. Thanks for your help!