Trigonometric Identities | Mathematics for SSS 1 PDF Download

Trigonometry is that branch of Mathematics, which relates to the study of angles, measurement of angles, and units of measurement. It also concerns itself with the six ratios for a given angle and the relations satisfied by these ratios. In an extended way, the study is also of the angles forming the elements of a triangle. Logically, a discussion of the properties of a triangle; solving a triangle, physical problems in the area of heights and distances using the properties of a triangle – all constitute a part of the study. It also provides a method of solution of trigonometric equations.

Trigonometric Identity

An equation involving trigonometric ratios of an angle is called trigonometric Identity if it is true for all values of the angle. These are useful whenever trigonometric functions are involved in an expression or an equation. The six basic trigonometric ratios are sine, cosine, tangent, cosecant, secant, and cotangent. All these trigonometric ratios are defined using the sides of the right triangle, such as an adjacent side, opposite side, and hypotenuse side.

Proof of the Trigonometric Identities

For any acute angle θ, prove that
(i) tanθ = sinθ/cosθ         
(ii) cotθ = cosθ/sinθ            
(iii) tanθ . cotθ = 1
(iv) sin²θ + cos²θ = 1       
(v) 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ         
(vi) 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ

Proof:
Consider a right-angled △ABC (fig. 1) in which ∠B = 90° and ∠A = 0°.
Let AB = x units, BC y units and AC = r units.
Then,
(i) tanθ = y/x = (y/r)/(x/r)     [dividing num. and denom. by r]
∴ tanθ = sinθ/cosθ
(ii) cotθ = x/y = (x/r)/(y/r)     [dividing num. and denom. by r]
∴ cotθ = cosθ/sinθ 
(iii) tanθ . cotθ  = (sinθ/cosθ) . (cosθ/sinθ)
tanθ . cotθ = 1 
Then, by Pythagoras’ theorem, we have 
x² + y² = r².
Now,
(iv) sin²θ + cos²θ  = (y/r)² + (x/r)² = ( y²/r² + x²/r²)

= (x² + y²)/r² = r²/r² = 1 [x²+ y² = r²]
sin²θ + cos²θ = 1
(v) 1 + tan²θ = 1 + (y/x)² = 1 + y²/x² = (y² + x²)/x² = r²/x² [x² + y² = r²]
(r/x)² = sec²θ
∴ 1 + tan²θ = sec²θ.
(vi) 1 + cot²θ = 1 + (x/y)² = 1 + x²/y² = (x² + y²)/y² = r²/y² [x² + y² = r²]
(r²/y²) = cosec²θ
∴ 1 + cot²θ = cosec²θ.

Application of Trigonometric Identites

Application 1: Prove that (1 – sin²θ) sec²θ = 1  
Proof:
We have:
LHS = (1 – sin²θ) sec²θ
= cos²θ . sec²θ
= cos²θ . (1/cos²θ)
=1
= RHS.
∴ LHS = RHS.

Application 2: Prove that (1 + tan²θ) cos²θ = 1  
Proof:
We have:
LHS = (1 + tan²θ)cos²θ
= sec²θ . cos²θ
= (1/cos²θ) . cos²θ
= 1 = RHS.
∴ LHS=RHS.

Application 3: Prove that (cosec²θ – 1) tan²θ  = 1 
Proof:
We have:
LHS = (cosec²θ – 1) tan²θ
= (1 + cot²θ – 1) tan²θ  
= cot²θ . tan²θ  
= (1/tan²θ) . tan²θ
= 1 = RHS.
∴ LHS=RHS.

Application 4: Prove that (sec⁴θ – sec²θ) = (tan²θ + tan⁴θ)
Proof: 
We have:
LHS = (sec⁴θ – sec²θ)
= sec²θ(sec²θ – 1)
= (1 + tan²θ) (1 + tan²θ – 1)
= (1 + tan²θ) tan²θ
= (tan²θ + tan⁴θ)
= RHS      
∴ LHS = RHS.

Application 5: Prove that √(sec²θ + cosec²θ) = (tanθ + cotθ) 
Proof: 
We have:
LHS = √(sec²θ + cosec²θ ) = √((1 + tan²θ) + (1 + cot²θ))      
= √(tan²θ + cot²θ + 2)      
= √(tan²θ + cot²θ + 2tanθ.cotθ )         (tanθ . cotθ = 1)      
= √(tanθ + cotθ)²
= tanθ + cotθ = RHS
∴ LHS = RHS.