Trigonometry Identity Question

In summary, trigonometry identities can be obtained for a given triangle using the following formulas: - For sine: ##\sin \alpha = \frac{y}{r} = \cos (90° - \alpha)##- For cosine: ##\cos \alpha = \frac{x}{r} = \sin (90° - \alpha)##- For tangent: ##\tan \alpha = \frac{y}{x} = \cot (90° - \alpha)##- For cotangent: ##\cot \alpha = \frac{x}{y} = \tan (90° - \alpha)##- For secant: ##\sec \alpha = \frac{r}{x}
  • #1
askor
169
9
For the given triangle as below:

Triangle.png


I can obtain trigonometry identities as below:

##\sin α = \frac{y}{r} = \cos (90° - α)##
##\cos α = \frac{x}{r} = \sin (90° - α)##
##\tan α = \frac{y}{x} = \cot (90° - α)##
##\cot α = \frac{x}{y} = \tan (90° - α)##
##\sec α = \frac{r}{x} = \csc (90° - α)##
##\csc α = \frac{r}{y} = \sec (90° - α)##


##\sin (90° + α) = \sin (90° - (-α)) = \cos (-α) = \cos α##
##\cos (90° + α) = \cos (90° - (-α)) = \sin (-α) = - \sin α##
##\tan (90° + α) = \tan (90° - (-α)) = \cot (-α) = - \cot α##
##\cot (90° + α) = \cot (90° - (-α)) = \tan (-α) = - \tan α##
##\sec (90° + α) = \sec (90° - (-α)) = \csc (-α) = - \csc α##
##\csc (90° + α) = \csc (90° - (-α)) = \sec (-α) = \sec α##

##\sin (180° - α) = \sin (90° + (90° - α)) = \cos (90° - α) = \sin α##
##\cos (180° - α) = \cos (90° + (90° - α)) = - \sin (90° - α) = - \cos α##
##\tan (180° - α) = \tan (90° + (90° - α)) = - \cot (90° - α) = - \tan α##
##\cot (180° - α) = \cot (90° + (90° - α)) = - \tan (90° - α) = - \cot α##
##\sec (180° - α) = \sec (90° + (90° - α)) = - \csc (90° - α) = - \sec α##
##\csc (180° - α) = \csc (90° + (90° - α)) = \sec (90° - α) = \csc α##

##\sin (180° + α) = \sin (90° + (90° + α)) = \cos (90° + α) = - \sin α##
##\cos (180° + α) = \cos (90° + (90° + α)) = - \sin (90° + α) = - \cos α##
##\tan (180° + α) = \tan (90° + (90° + α)) = - \cot (90° + α) = - (-\tan α) = \tan α##
##\cot (180° + α) = \cot (90° + (90° + α)) = - \tan (90° + α) = - (- \cot α) = \cot α##
##\sec (180° + α) = \sec (90° + (90° + α)) = - \csc (90° + α) = - \sec α##
##\csc (180° + α) = \csc (90° + (90° + α)) = \sec (90° + α) = - \csc α##

##\sin (270° - α) = \sin (180° + (90° - α)) = - \sin (90° - α) = - \cos α##
##\cos (270° - α) = \cos (180° + (90° - α)) = - \cos (90° - α) = - \sin α##
##\tan (270° - α) = \tan (180° + (90° - α)) = \tan (90° - α) = \cot α##
##\cot (270° - α) = \cot (180° + (90° - α)) = \cot (90° - α) = \tan α##
##\sec (270° - α) = \sec (180° + (90° - α)) = - \sec (90° - α) = - \csc α##
##\csc (270° - α) = \csc (180° + (90° - α)) = - \csc (90° - α) = - \sec α##

##\sin (270° + α) = \sin (180° + (90° + α)) = - \sin (90° + α) = - \cos α##
##\cos (270° + α) = \cos (180° + (90° + α)) = - \cos (90° + α) = - (- \sin α) = \sin α##
##\tan (270° + α) = \tan (180° + (90° + α)) = \tan (90° + α) = - \cot α##
##\cot (270° + α) = \cot (180° + (90° + α)) = \cot (90° + α) = - \tan α##
##\sec (270° + α) = \sec (180° + (90° + α)) = - \sec (90° + α) = - ( - \csc α) = \csc α##
##\csc (270° + α) = \csc (180° + (90° + α)) = - \csc (90° + α) = - \sec α##

##\sin (360° - α) = \sin (270° + (90° - α)) = - \cos (90° - α) = - \sin α##
##\cos (360° - α) = \cos (270° + (90° - α)) = \sin (90° - α) = \cos α##
##\tan (360° - α) = \tan (270° + (90° - α)) = - \cot (90° - α) = - \tan α##
##\cot (360° - α) = \cot (270° + (90° - α)) = - \tan (90° - α) = - \cot α##
##\sec (360° - α) = \sec (270° + (90° - α)) = \csc (90° - α) = \sec α##
##\csc (360° - α) = \csc (270° + (90° - α)) = - \sec (90° - α) = - \csc α##

##\sin (360° + α) = \sin (270° + (90° + α)) = - \cos (90° + α) = - (- \sin α) = \sin α##
##\cos (360° + α) = \cos (270° + (90° + α)) = \sin (90° + α) = \cos α##
##\tan (360° + α) = \tan (270° + (90° + α)) = - \cot (90° + α) = - (- \tan α) = \tan α##
##\cot (360° + α) = \cot (270° + (90° + α)) = - \tan (90° + α) = - (- \cot α) = \cot α##
##\sec (360° + α) = \sec (270° + (90° + α)) = \csc (90° + α) = \sec α##
##\csc (360° + α) = \csc (270° + (90° + α)) = - \sec (90° + α) = - (- \csc α) = \csc α##

This is very tedious work. Is there any simply method to memorize these identities?
 
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  • #2
Sum of angle rules:
$$
\sin(\alpha\pm \beta) = \sin\alpha\cos\beta \pm \sin\beta\cos\alpha \\
\cos(\alpha\pm \beta) = \cos\alpha\cos\beta \mp \sin\beta\sin\alpha \\
$$
 
Last edited:
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  • #3
You should also be familiar with specific angles like 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180...

and 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, ...

and how to get their sin, cos and tan values.

Commonly found on the unit circle:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unit_circle
 

1. What is a trigonometry identity?

A trigonometry identity is a mathematical equation that shows the relationship between different trigonometric functions, such as sine, cosine, and tangent. These identities are used to simplify and solve trigonometric equations and can also be used to prove other mathematical theorems.

2. Why are trigonometry identities important?

Trigonometry identities are important because they allow us to simplify and manipulate trigonometric expressions, making it easier to solve equations and problems involving angles and triangles. They are also used extensively in fields such as engineering, physics, and navigation.

3. What are the most commonly used trigonometry identities?

Some of the most commonly used trigonometry identities include the Pythagorean identities, the sum and difference identities, the double angle identities, and the half angle identities. These identities can be used to simplify and solve a wide range of trigonometric equations.

4. How do I use trigonometry identities to solve equations?

To solve equations using trigonometry identities, you need to first identify which identity is most appropriate for the given equation. Then, use algebraic manipulation and substitution to transform the equation into a form where the identity can be applied. Finally, simplify the equation to solve for the unknown variable.

5. Can I derive my own trigonometry identities?

Yes, you can derive your own trigonometry identities by using the definitions of the trigonometric functions and applying algebraic manipulation and properties of trigonometric functions. However, it is important to note that many identities have already been discovered and derived, so it is always a good idea to check if the identity you are trying to derive already exists.

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