An identity is an equation that is true

for all defined values of a variable.

We are going to use the identities that we have already
established and establish others to "prove" or verify
other identities. Let's summarize the basic identities we
have.
RECIPROCAL IDENTITIES
1
csc
sin
x
x
=
1
sec
cos
x
x
=
1
cot
tan
x
x
=
QUOTIENT IDENTITIES
sin
tan
cos
x
x
x
=
cos
cot
sin
x
x
x
=
1
sin
csc
x
x
=
1
cos
sec
x
x
=
1
tan
cot
x
x
=
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
Lets look at the Fundamental Identity derived on page 445
Now to find the two more identities from this famous and oft used one.
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
Divide all terms by cos
2
x
cos
2
x cos
2
x cos
2
x
What trig function
is this squared?
1
What trig function
is this squared?
2 2
tan 1 sec x x + =
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
Divide all terms by sin
2
x
sin
2
x sin
2
x sin
2
x
What trig function
is this squared?
1
What trig function
is this squared?
2 2
1 cot csc x x + =
These three are sometimes
called the Pythagorean
Identities since the
derivation of the
fundamental theorem used
the Pythagorean Theorem
All of the identities we learned are found on the back page of your book.
You'll need to have these memorized or be able to derive them for this course.
QUOTIENT IDENTITIES
sin
tan
cos
x
x
x
=
cos
cot
sin
x
x
x
=
2 2
tan 1 sec x x + =
2 2
1 cot csc x x + =
PYTHAGOREAN IDENTITIES
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
RECIPROCAL IDENTITIES
1
csc
sin
x
x
=
1
sec
cos
x
x
=
1
cot
tan
x
x
=
1
sin
csc
x
x
=
1
cos
sec
x
x
=
1
tan
cot
x
x
=
One way to use identities is to simplify expressions
involving trigonometric functions. Often a good strategy for
doing this is to write all trig functions in terms of sines and
cosines and then simplify. Lets see an example of this:
sin
tan
cos
x
x
x
=
1
sec
cos
x
x
=
1
csc
sin
x
x
=
tan csc
Simplify:
sec
x x
x
sin 1
cos sin
1
cos
x
x x
x

=
substitute using
each identity
simplify
1
cos
1
cos
x
x
= 1 =
Another way to use identities is to write one function in
terms of another function. Lets see an example of this:
2
Write the following expression
in terms of only one trig function:
cos sin 1 x x + +
This expression involves both
sine and cosine. The
Fundamental Identity makes a
connection between sine and
cosine so we can use that and
solve for cosine squared and
substitute.
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
2 2
cos 1 sin x x =
2
= 1 sin sin 1 x x + +
2
= sin sin 2 x x + +
A third way to use identities is to find function values. Lets
see an example of this:
2
Write the following expression
in terms of only one trig function:
cos sin 1 x x + +
This expression involves both
sine and cosine. The
Fundamental Identity makes a
connection between sine and
cosine so we can use that and
solve for cosine squared and
substitute.
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
2 2
cos 1 sin x x =
2
= 1 sin sin 1 x x + +
2
= sin sin 2 x x + +
1
Given sin with in quadrant II,
3
find the other five trig functions using identities.
u u =
We'd get csc by taking
reciprocal of sin
= u csc
3
Now use the fundamental trig identity
1 cos sin
2 2
= + u u
Sub in the value of sine that you know
1 cos
3
1
2
2
= +
|
.
|

\
|
u
Solve this for cos u
9
8
cos
2
= u
8 2 2
cos
3
9
u = =
When we square root, we need but determine that wed
need the negative since we have an angle in Quad II where
cosine values are negative.
square root
both sides
A third way to use identities is to find function values. Lets
see an example of this:
1
csc
sin
u
u
=
2 2
cos
3
u =
3
1
sin = u
= u csc
3
We need to get tangent using
fundamental identities.
u
u
u
cos
sin
tan =
Simplify by inverting and multiplying
1
3
tan
2 2
3
u =

Finally you can find

cotangent by taking the
reciprocal of this answer.
3
sec
2 2
u =
1 3
3
2 2
| |
=
|
\ .
1
2 2
=
cot 2 2 u =
You can easily find sec by taking reciprocal of cos.
This can be rationalized
2
2
3 2
4
=
2
4
=
This can be rationalized
Now lets look at the unit circle to compare trig functions
of positive vs. negative angles.
?
3
cos is What
t
?
3
cos is What
|
.
|

\
|

t
Remember a negative
angle means to go
clockwise
2
1
2
1
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
3
,
2
1
( )
cos cos x x =
Recall from College Algebra that if we put
a negative in the function and get the
original back it is an even function.
?
3
sin is What
t
?
3
sin is What
|
.
|

\
|

t
2
3
2
3

|
|
.
|

\
|

2
3
,
2
1
( )
sin sin x x =
Recall from College Algebra that if we
put a negative in the function and get
the negative of the function back it is an
odd function.
?
3
tan is What
t
?
3
tan is What
|
.
|

\
|

t
|
|
.
|

\
|

2
3
,
2
1
3
3
If a function is even, its reciprocal function will be
also. If a function is odd its reciprocal will be also.
EVEN-ODD PROPERTIES
sin(- x ) = - sin x (odd) csc(- x ) = - csc x (odd)
cos(- x) = cos x (even) sec(- x ) = sec x (even)
tan(- x) = - tan x (odd) cot(- x ) = - cot x (odd)
( ) angle? positive a of terms in what 60 sin =
60 sin
angle? positive a of terms in what
3
2
sec =
|
.
|

\
|

t
3
2
sec
t
RECIPROCAL IDENTITIES
1
csc
sin
x
x
=
1
sec
cos
x
x
=
1
cot
tan
x
x
=
QUOTIENT IDENTITIES
sin
tan
cos
x
x
x
=
cos
cot
sin
x
x
x
=
2 2
tan 1 sec x x + =
2 2
1 cot csc x x + =
PYTHAGOREAN IDENTITIES
2 2
sin cos 1 x x + =
EVEN-ODD IDENTITIES
( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( )
sin sin cos cos tan tan
csc csc sec sec cot cot
x x x x x x
x x x x x x
= = =
= = =
COFUNCION IDENTITIES
u u
t
cos )
2
sin( =
u u
t
sin )
2
cos( =
u u
t
cot )
2
tan( =
u u
t
tan )
2
cot( =
u u
t
csc )
2
sec( =
u u
t
sec )
2
csc( =