Basic Identities

Reciprocal Identities

Quotient Identities
Pythagorean Identities

Co-function Identities
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Even/Odd Identities
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Guidelines for Verifying Trigonometric Identities

1. Start with the more complicated side of the equation.
2. Use valid algebraic techniques to help you convert expressions such as factoring an
expression, combining fractions, squaring a binomial or creating a monomial denominator
by multiplying by the conjugate.
3. Look for opportunities to use the fundamental identities. Note which functions are in the
final expression you want. Sines and cosines pair up well, as do secants and tangents, and
cosecants ant cotangents
4. Try converting everything to sines and cosines
5. Always try something.

Examples:
We can factor the following expressions:
(
)(
)
(
)(
)
We can add fractions and use identities to help us simplify. Here we are using the Pythagorean Identity
and the reciprocal identities

after we combined the fractions.

We can create a monomial fraction by multiplying by the conjugate and using the Pythagorean identity and
reciprocal identity to simplify the expression.
( )
(
)
(
)
(
)(
)
We can separate a fraction into two parts to simplify.

Verify the identities

(

1.

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(

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Start with the more complex side

LHS =

Use identities to simplify. Even/Odd

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Next, use the reciprocal and quotient identities write

Multiply top and bottom by the denominators

to eliminate the complex fraction

Factor common terms out and cancel.

You end up with

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(

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)
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)
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2.

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Start with the more complex side (any side in this case)

LHS =

Multiply by conjugate.
Remember to use difference of squares in the denominator

( )(

Use the Pythagorean identity and substitute

(

Cancel common terms and simplify

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)

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You end up with

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3.
Start with the side with more options

LHS =
(

Factor (difference of squares)

Since

, substitute

Our RHS is in terms of

)(

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only. So transform

By using Pythagorean Theorem

4.

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Start with the side with more options

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LHS =

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Combine the fractions

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Simplify the numerator by FOILING

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(
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Use Pythagorean identities

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Add like terms and factor

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Cancel like terms and use identities

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Simplify

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( )=

( ) = RHS

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