Sine/cosine sum and difference formulas

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the sine and cosine sum and difference formulas for any angle, rather than just those within the range of 0 to 2π. Participants are exploring various approaches to establish these identities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the validity of existing proofs limited to angles between 0 and 2π and seek methods to extend these proofs to all angles. Others suggest using corresponding angles for negative or greater than 2π values. Various proof techniques are mentioned, including Euler's equation, geometric interpretations, and the distance formula on the trigonometric circle.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively sharing their thoughts and approaches, with some offering partial proofs and identities. There is a recognition of the need for further exploration and clarification, particularly regarding the derivation of the sine and cosine identities.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the application of certain identities and the implications of angle values, particularly when one angle is π/2. The discussion reflects a mix of established identities and personal derivations, with no consensus reached yet.

Werg22
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How to proove those formulas for any angle? So far all the proofs I've found are for angles between 0 and 2pi...
 
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Surely you know that for any angle less than 0 or greater than 2pi there is a corresponsing angle between 0 and 2pi...

If the angle x is less than 0, Use 2pi-x.
If the angle x is greater than 2pi, Use 0+x
 
Werg22 said:
How to proove those formulas for any angle? So far all the proofs I've found are for angles between 0 and 2pi...
...which ones did you find?
 
Sorry, i meant pi/2... (thus maximum of pi for the resultant angle)

I found one with euler's equation, another with triangles and the other with the trigonometric circle.

My solution was;

[tex]\sqrt{(\cos({{\theta} \pm {\sigma}}) - \cos{\theta})^{2} + (\sin({{\theta} \pm {\sigma}}) - \sin{\theta})^{2}} = \sqrt {({cos{\sigma} - 1})^{2} - \sin^{2}{\sigma}}[/tex]

And this later simplifies to

[tex]cos({{\theta} \pm {\sigma}}) = \cos{\theta}\cos{\sigma} \pm \sin{\theta}\sin{\sigma}[/tex]

But now I can't go further...
 
Last edited:
Alright I think I thought of a good proof

With this identity (this is using the distance formula and the coordinates on the trigonmetric circle)

[tex]\sqrt{(\cos({{\theta} \pm {\sigma}}) - \cos{\theta})^{2} + (\sin({{\theta} \pm {\sigma}}) - \sin{\theta})^{2}} = \sqrt {({cos{\sigma} - 1})^{2} - \sin^{2}{\sigma}}[/tex]

We can derive

[tex]\sin(\theta \pm \sigma) = \cos \sigma \sin \theta \pm \cos \theta \sin \sigma[/tex]

With this identity

[tex]\sin -a = -\sin a[/tex]

We can compare [tex]\sin(\theta - \sigma)[/tex] and [tex]\sin(\sigma - \theta)[/tex] As being opposite.

[tex](\sin(\theta \pm \sigma) = \cos \sigma \sin \theta \pm \cos \theta \sin \sigma) =-(\sin(\sigma \pm \theta) = \cos \theta \sin \sigma \pm \cos \sigma \sin \theta)[/tex]

The only possible solution is

[tex]\sin(\theta - \sigma) = \cos \sigma \sin \theta - \cos \theta \sin \sigma[/tex]

and

[tex]\sin(\sigma - \theta) = \cos \theta \sin \sigma - \cos \sigma \sin \theta[/tex]And since sin (a+b) is not equal to sin(a-b), exept if one of the angle is pi, thus

[tex]\sin(\theta + \sigma) = \cos \sigma \sin \theta + \cos \theta \sin \sigma[/tex]

The result stays the same if one of the angle is pi/2.

The expansion for cos(a+b) and cos (a-b) is easy to derive once we have established the expansion for sin.

Q.E.D.?
 
Last edited:
Draw the sin graph, notice the symmetry, all's well.
 

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