# Use the Euler identity to prove sin^2x+cos^2x=1

## Homework Statement

Just like my title says, we are to prove the trig identity sin^2x+cos^2x=1 using the Euler identity.

## Homework Equations

Euler - e^(ix) = cosx + isinx
trig identity - sin^2x + cos^2x = 1

## The Attempt at a Solution

I tried solving the Euler for sinx and cosx, then plugging it into the trig identity. I just ended up with something really sloppy with multiple i's left over. I also tried squaring Euler and manipulating values that way to get an answer, but that just ended up really sloppy as well.

If anyone has any tips, I'd really appreciate it. I spent about 30mins on this now and am just at a loss.

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
I presume, then, that you got $$sin(x)= \frac{e^{ix}- e^{-ix}}{2i}$$
and $$cos(x)= \frac{e^{ix}+ e^{-ix}}{2}$$

So that $$sin^2(x)= \frac{e^{2ix}- 2+ e^{-2ix}}{-4}$$
and $$cos^2(x)= \frac{e^{2ix}+ 2+ e^{-2ix}}{4}$$

That doesn't look very "sloppy" to me. What happens when you add them? (Be careful of that "-" in the denominator of $sin^2(x)$.)

1 person
I presume, then, that you got $$sin(x)= \frac{e^{ix}- e^{-ix}}{2i}$$
and $$cos(x)= \frac{e^{ix}+ e^{-ix}}{2}$$

So that $$sin^2(x)= \frac{e^{2ix}- 2+ e^{-2ix}}{-4}$$
and $$cos^2(x)= \frac{e^{2ix}+ 2+ e^{-2ix}}{4}$$

That doesn't look very "sloppy" to me. What happens when you add them? (Be careful of that "-" in the denominator of $sin^2(x)$.)

Hmm, that is much different than what I got.

When I solved with Euler for cosx, I got:

cosx = e^(ix)-isinx, then I squared that and that is when it got sloppy.

I'm not sure how you got rid of the "isinx" and got the rest of what you did in your equations?

Orodruin
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member

## Homework Statement

Just like my title says, we are to prove the trig identity sin^2x+cos^2x=1 using the Euler identity.

## Homework Equations

Euler - e^(ix) = cosx + isinx
trig identity - sin^2x + cos^2x = 1

## The Attempt at a Solution

I tried solving the Euler for sinx and cosx, then plugging it into the trig identity. I just ended up with something really sloppy with multiple i's left over. I also tried squaring Euler and manipulating values that way to get an answer, but that just ended up really sloppy as well.

If anyone has any tips, I'd really appreciate it. I spent about 30mins on this now and am just at a loss.

I suggest an alternative route. If
$$e^{ix} = \cos x + i \sin x$$
what is then ##e^{-ix}##?

1 person
I suggest an alternative route. If
$$e^{ix} = \cos x + i \sin x$$
what is then ##e^{-ix}##?

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure where that is going? Do you mean just 1/(cosx +isinx)? I don't see what to do with that? My problem is I keep ending up with "i" somewhere in my equations that I can't get rid of.

HallsofIvy
No, he means replace "x" with "-x". If $e^{ix}= cos(x)+ isin(x)$ then $e^{-ix}= cos(-x)+ isin(-x)= cos(x)- isin(x)$. Now you can solve for cos(x) in terms of $e^{ix}$ and $e^{-ix}[/tex] by adding those two equation and solve for sin(x) by subtracting. 1 person olivermsun Science Advisor He means if ##e^{ix} = \cos x + i \sin x,## then ##e^{-ix} = \cos (-x) + i \sin (-x) = \cos (x) - i \sin (x).## Then you have enough pieces to do some creative assembly and get the identity in question. Edit: Never mind, Halls just posted. Last edited: 1 person Oh, thank you guys. I didn't know I was able to do that. Clearly I have some things to learn this semester. Now it's a piece of cake. I appreciate the help. Orodruin Staff Emeritus Science Advisor Homework Helper Gold Member Now you can solve for cos(x) in terms of [itex]e^{ix}$ and [itex]e^{-ix}[/tex] by adding those two equation and solve for sin(x) by subtracting.