PRE CALCULUS Quarter 2

Week 3

Fundamental Trigonometric
Functions
Learning Competencies:
 derive the fundamental trigonometric identities
 use the fundamental trigonometric identities to simplify trigonometric expressions
 prove trigonometric identities

Identity and Conditional Equations

Equations in mathematics can be classified as conditional equations or identity
equations. A conditional equation is an equation that is satisfied by at least one real number.
On the other hand, an equation that is true for all real numbers and whose both sides are
defined and identical is called an identity equation.

Fundamental Trigonometric Identities

A. Reciprocal Identities
1 1 1
sin 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 = tan 𝜃 =
csc 𝜃 sec 𝜃 cot 𝜃

B. Quotient Identities
sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
tan 𝜃 = cos 𝜃 cot 𝜃 = sin 𝜃

C. Pythagorean Identities
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = 1 1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃 1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = 𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝜃

Equations sometimes involve expressions with trigonometric functions. The fundamental

trigonometric identities are used to simplify trigonometric expressions.

Example: Express the following trigonometric expressions as a single function.

a. 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 𝐜𝐬𝐜 𝒙
sin 𝑥 1
tan 𝑥 csc 𝑥 = cos 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥
sin 𝑥 1
= ∙
cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥
1
= cos 𝑥
= sec 𝑥

b. 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜽 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜽𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟐 𝜽

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃(1 + 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝜃)
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃(𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝜃)
1
= 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 ∙ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃
2
= 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝜃

Analytic Geometry STEM 11

 PRE CALCULUS Quarter 2
Week 3
c. 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝒙 𝐜𝐬𝐜 𝒙 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝒙 𝐜𝐨𝐭 𝒙
1 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
sin 𝑥 csc 𝑥 tan 𝑥 cot 𝑥 = sin 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥 ∙ cos 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥
1 sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
= sin 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥 ∙ cos 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥
sin 𝑥 cos 𝑥
= 1 ∙ cos 𝑥 ∙ sin 𝑥
=1

Proving Trigonometric Identities

Simplify the following trigonometric In proving identities, one must show that
expressions. Write your solutions on a both sides of the equation are equal and identical.
sheet of paper.
a. sin 𝑥 cot 𝑥 Proving identities is a process that
cos 𝑥 sec 𝑥 transforms or converts trigonometric expressions to
b. a form that allows easier algebraic operations. It is
cot 𝑥
c. sin 𝜃 + cos 𝜃 cot 𝜃 important note that when verifying identities, it is
d. cos 𝑥 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 − cos 𝑥 improper to just assume that the two sides of the
equations are equal.

There is actually no specific procedure to be followed in proving identities. However, the

following pointers could help you accomplish any task on providing identities.
1. Express the given trigonometric functions in terms of sine and cosine.
2. Transform one side of the equation into the exact form of the other side, or transform
both sides of the equation into similar forms.
3. Work on the side of the equation that is more complex.
4. Use techniques like factoring and simplifying algebraic expressions.
When proving identities, always start with more complicated side. It is helpful to write the
identity in terms of sine and cosine.
Example: Prove 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜽 𝐬𝐞𝐜 𝜽.
Solution:
Transform the right side of the equation to make it identical to the left side
1
tan 𝜃 = sin 𝜃 ∙
𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃
sin 𝜃
tan 𝜃 =
cos 𝜃
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 = 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽

𝟏
Example: Verify the identity 𝟏 − 𝒄𝒔𝒄𝟐 𝒙 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝒙.
Solution:
Work on the left side of the equation.
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝑥 − 1
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝑥
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝑥
1
𝑐𝑜𝑡 2 𝑥 ∙ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
𝑐𝑠𝑐 2 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑥
∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝑥
∙ 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝑥

𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝑥

Analytic Geometry STEM 11

PRE CALCULUS Quarter 2
Week 3

Verify the following trigonometric identities. Write your solutions/proofs.

1. 𝑠𝑒𝑐 2 𝐴 − 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 𝐴 = 1
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃
2. 1 − 1−cos 𝜃 = − cos 𝜃
𝑡𝑎𝑛2𝑥
3. = sec 𝑥 + 1
sec 𝑥−1

Analytic Geometry STEM 11