What is the proof for the sum formula for sines?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the proof for the sine sum formula, specifically how sin(90 + θ) relates to cos(θ) and sin(90 - θ). The user expresses confusion about the geometric interpretation of these identities, particularly regarding angles in right triangles. They seek a geometrical proof rather than relying on memorization of trigonometric identities or unit circle explanations. Participants clarify that sin(90 + θ) can be derived from the properties of supplementary angles and congruent triangles, ultimately leading to the conclusion that sin(90 + θ) equals cos(θ). The conversation emphasizes the importance of visualizing these relationships geometrically for better comprehension.
jayanthd
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I don't need unit circle proof or proof using trignometric equality. I know those. I am attaching a image. Please read it. It is from the book Plane Trigonometry by S L Loney. See what it says.
I know that angle MOP = angle M'P'O and both triangles formed are congruent, OM' = MP and M'P" = OM and OP' = OP.

Angle P'OM' + angle MOP = 90.
If angle MOP is theta then angle M'P'O is also theta.
Angle OPM = angle P'OM' = 90 - theta because 3 angles of triangle = 180. ( 90 + theta + (90 - theta))

What I don't understand is how is andle MOP = 90 - angle P'OM' and how it is = to angle OP'M'. ( as OP'M' = theta)

http://www.edaboard.com/attachments/92503d1371565911-trigproof.png

The point A in the diagram is wrong. That is my mistake. Point A is to the left of M on x-axis.

There is no error. angle MOP or AOP is theta. AOP' and MOP' are both same. Point A is just to the right of M and A' to the left of M'. My question is how did he calculate
sin(90 + theta) = sin(AOP') = M'P'/OP' = OM/OP. This is giving a problem. M'P'/OP' is cos(theta) in second quardrant.
If we take angle MOP as theta and angle P'OM' as (90 - theta) as sum of the angles should be 90. then angle P'OM' is 90 - theta.
Again if we consider just the triangle in 2nd quadrant then the angle M'P'O is theta and angle P'M'O is 90 and hence the other angle of the triangle is (90 - theta).

M'P'/OP' is sin(90 - theta) of triangle in 2nd quadrant or cos(theta) of triangle in first quadrant.

Then how does he say that M'P'/OP' is sin(90 + theta)?

So many people refer the book by S L Loney. I am attaching a new image.

http://www.edaboard.com/attachments/92532d1371636717-trigproof2.png
 
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jayanthd said:
I don't need unit circle proof or proof using trignometric equality. I know those. I am attaching a image. Please read it. It is from the book Plane Trigonometry by S L Loney. See what it says.
I know that angle MOP = angle M'P'O and both triangles formed are congruent, OM' = MP and M'P" = OM and OP' = OP.

Angle P'OM' + angle MOP = 90.
If angle MOP is theta then angle M'P'O is also theta.
Angle OPM = angle P'OM' = 90 - theta because 3 angles of triangle = 180. ( 90 + theta + (90 - theta))

What I don't understand is how is andle MOP = 90 - angle P'OM' and how it is = to angle OP'M'. ( as OP'M' = theta)

http://www.edaboard.com/attachments/92503d1371565911-trigproof.png

The point A in the diagram is wrong. That is my mistake. Point A is to the left of M on x-axis.

There is no error. angle MOP or AOP is theta. AOP' and MOP' are both same. Point A is just to the right of M and A' to the left of M'. My question is how did he calculate
sin(90 + theta) = sin(AOP') = M'P'/OP' = OM/OP. This is giving a problem. M'P'/OP' is cos(theta) in second quardrant.
If we take angle MOP as theta and angle P'OM' as (90 - theta) as sum of the angles should be 90. then angle P'OM' is 90 - theta.
Again if we consider just the triangle in 2nd quadrant then the angle M'P'O is theta and angle P'M'O is 90 and hence the other angle of the triangle is (90 - theta).

M'P'/OP' is sin(90 - theta) of triangle in 2nd quadrant or cos(theta) of triangle in first quadrant.

Then how does he say that M'P'/OP' is sin(90 + theta)?

So many people refer the book by S L Loney. I am attaching a new image.

http://www.edaboard.com/attachments/92532d1371636717-trigproof2.png

Your images don't show.
 
@Jayanthd: You get sin(90 - θ) but the author gets sin(90 + θ)? By the CAST rule, those are the same.
 
verty said:
@Jayanthd: You get sin(90 - θ) but the author gets sin(90 + θ)? By the CAST rule, those are the same.

Can you explain in detail. Please explain how the author considers sin(90 - θ) as sin(90 + θ).
 
jayanthd said:
Can you explain in detail. Please explain how the author considers sin(90 - θ) as sin(90 + θ).

Notice that I gave a link, click on the words "the CAST rule".
 
verty said:
Notice that I gave a link, click on the words "the CAST rule".


I have seen that link. It doesn't tell how sin(90 - θ) becomes sin(90 + θ).

Can you please explain. This is the only thing in Trigonometry that I am not able to understand.
 
jayanthd said:
I have seen that link. It doesn't tell how sin(90 - θ) becomes sin(90 + θ).

Can you please explain. This is the only thing in Trigonometry that I am not able to understand.
It's easy enough to show using the identities for the sine of a sum or difference.
sin(A + B) = sin(A)cos(B) + cos(A)sin(B)
sin(A - B) = sin(A)cos(B) - cos(A)sin(B)
 
Mark44 said:
It's easy enough to show using the identities for the sine of a sum or difference.
sin(A + B) = sin(A)cos(B) + cos(A)sin(B)
sin(A - B) = sin(A)cos(B) - cos(A)sin(B)

I know that solution. What I need is geometrical proof using right angled triangle.
 
Why?

Also, assuming θ is an acute angle (0 ≤ θ < 90°), it's not possible to have a right triangle where one angle is 90° + θ.
 
  • #10
Mark44 said:
Why?

Also, assuming θ is an acute angle (0 ≤ θ < 90°), it's not possible to have a right triangle where one angle is 90° + θ.


Because I can't memorize sin(90 + theta), sin(90 - theta), sin(180 - theta), sin(180 + theta) and other ratios. If explained geometrically then it will be easy to derive whenever needed. I know the Unit Circle approach.
 
  • #11
jayanthd said:
Because I can't memorize sin(90 + theta), sin(90 - theta), sin(180 - theta), sin(180 + theta) and other ratios.
That's kind of a silly reason. One formula will serve for all of those:
sin(A + B) = sin(A)cos(B) + cos(A)sin(B).

You don't need a separate formula for sin(A - B). Just use the formula above with sin(A + (-B)).
jayanthd said:
If explained geometrically then it will be easy to derive whenever needed. I know the Unit Circle approach.

As already noted, it isn't possible to draw a right triangle with one angle equal to 90° + θ, where θ is an acute angle.
 
  • #12
Mark44 said:
That's kind of a silly reason. One formula will serve for all of those:
sin(A + B) = sin(A)cos(B) + cos(A)sin(B).

You don't need a separate formula for sin(A - B). Just use the formula above with sin(A + (-B)).


As already noted, it isn't possible to draw a right triangle with one angle equal to 90° + θ, where θ is an acute angle.


I know that a right angled triangle can have angles 90, θ, and (90 - θ) but how did S L Loney proves sin(90 + θ) = cos(θ) as mentioned in the first post.

Is it that nobody here knows geometrical proof for sin(90 + θ) and sin(180 - θ)?
 
  • #13
jayanthd said:
I know that a right angled triangle can have angles 90, θ, and (90 - θ) but how did S L Loney proves sin(90 + θ) = cos(θ) as mentioned in the first post.
It would be helpful if you posted the images that were supposed to be in your first post. I mentioned that the links were broken in my first reply.
jayanthd said:
Is it that nobody here knows geometrical proof for sin(90 + θ) and sin(180 - θ)?
What do you mean by a "geometrical proof"? You have already been told how you can prove that sin(90° + θ) = sin(90° - θ) using the sum identity. The proof is also very simple using the unit circle. Your objection to the first method seems to be only that you don't want to memorize the identity. I don't know what your objection to using the unit circle is.
 
  • #14
Trigonometry Proofs

Mark44 said:
It would be helpful if you posted the images that were supposed to be in your first post. I mentioned that the links were broken in my first reply.

What do you mean by a "geometrical proof"? You have already been told how you can prove that sin(90° + θ) = sin(90° - θ) using the sum identity. The proof is also very simple using the unit circle. Your objection to the first method seems to be only that you don't want to memorize the identity. I don't know what your objection to using the unit circle is.

Here are the images. Consider the 2nd image for the drawing.

attachment.php?attachmentid=59917&d=1372354550.jpg


attachment.php?attachmentid=59918&stc=1&d=1372354604.png
 

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  • #15
The two triangles are congruent, with angle M'P'O being equal to θ. This means that
Angle MOP' = 90° + θ and angle M'OP' = 180° - (90° + θ) = 90° - θ.
These angles add to 180°, so are supplementary angles.
It follows that
sin(90° + θ) = sin (180° - (90° + θ)), because the sines of supplementary angles are equal.
So sin(90° + θ) = sin(90° - θ)
= cos(θ), because 90° - θ and θ are complementary angles (i.e., they add to 90°).
 
  • #16
Mark44 said:
The two triangles are congruent, with angle M'P'O being equal to θ. This means that
Angle MOP' = 90° + θ and angle M'OP' = 180° - (90° + θ) = 90° - θ.
These angles add to 180°, so are supplementary angles.
It follows that
sin(90° + θ) = sin (180° - (90° + θ)), because the sines of supplementary angles are equal.
So sin(90° + θ) = sin(90° - θ)
= cos(θ), because 90° - θ and θ are complementary angles (i.e., they add to 90°).
Thank you very much. Now it is clear to me. I have similar problem with sin(180 - θ). Edit: Now another question is regarding 180 - θ.

See images. Now tell me how sin(AOP') = sin θ.

Is this right? sin(180 - θ) = sin(180 - (180 - θ)) = sin(θ) ??
 

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  • #17
When you insert images, adjust their sizes so that they aren't so large. 900 X 600 pixels is the maximum size.
jayanthd said:
Thank you very much. Now it is clear to me. I have similar problem with sin(180 - θ).


Edit: Now another question is regarding 180 - θ.

See images. Now tell me how sin(AOP') = sin θ.

Is this right? sin(180 - θ) = sin(180 - (180 - θ)) = sin(θ) ??
Yes. AOP (θ) and AOP' (180° - θ) are supplementary angles, so their sines are equal. This is easy to show using either the unit circle or the sum formula.
 
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