Fundamental Identities:

Reciprocal identities:
1 1
sin θ = → csc θ= → sin θ csc θ = 1
csc θ sin θ
1 1
cos θ = → sec θ= → cos θsec θ = 1
sec θ cos θ
1 1
tan θ = → cot θ= → tan θ cot θ = 1
cot θ tan θ
Ratio identities:
sin θ sin θ
tan θ = → sin θ = cos θ tan θ → cos θ=
cos θ tan θ
cos θ cos θ
cot θ = → cos θ = sin θcot θ → sin θ=
sin θ cot θ
Pythagorean identities:
sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1 → sin2 θ = 1 – cos2 θ → cos2 θ = 1 – sin2 θ
tan2 θ + 1 = sec2 θ → tan2 θ = sec2 θ – 1 → sec2 θ – tan2 θ = 1
cot2 θ + 1 = csc2 θ → cot2 θ = csc2 θ – 1 → csc2 θ – cot2 θ = 1
 To verify a trigonometric function means to convert into a simpler form since there is no equal sign
 Example:
Verify the expression cos θ + tan θ sin θ
cos θ + tan θ sin θ
sin θ
cos θ + ( ¿sin θ → use ratio identity
cos θ
sin ² θ
cos θ + → simplify using multiplication of fractions
cos θ
2
co s θ+sin ² θ
→ get the common denominator
cos θ
1
→ since sin2 θ + cos2 θ = 1
cos θ
sec θ

 Steps in proving trigonometric identities:

1. Work on one side of the equation, it is suggested to work on the more complicated side
2. Look for opportunities to factor expressions, simplify fractions, square a binomial, add subtract or multiply.
3. Express functions in terms of sine and cosine
4. Always try something, it may give you insight on the correct approach.
 Examples:
2
cs c θ−1
1. cos2 θ = 2
cs c θ
2
cs c θ 1
= 2
− 2 → breakdown the simplified form of the fraction.
cs c θ csc θ
1 1
=1- 2 → apply reciprocal identities sin θ =
csc θ csc θ
= 1- sin θ → Pythagorean identity cos θ = 1 – sin θ
2 2 2

cos2 θ = cos2 θ
 1 1
2. 2csc2 θ = +
1−cos θ 1+cos θ
= (1)¿ ¿ → addition of fractions
1+ cosθ+1−cos θ
= 2 → remove parenthesis and apply special products on the denominator
1−cos θ
2
= 2
1−cos θ
2
= 2 → Pythagorean identities sin2 θ = 1 – cos2 θ
sin θ
1 1
= 2( 2 ¿ →use reciprocal identities csc θ=
sin θ sin θ
2csc θ = 2csc θ
2 2

NOTE: always refer to the fundamental identities for your substitutions

Activity 1. VERIFICATION NEEDED!

Direction: Simplify the following.
sin θ cos θ
1. +
csc θ secθ
2. tan2 θ−tan2 θ sin2 θ
tanθ+ cotθ
3.
sec θ

Activity 2. PROOF NEEDED!

Direction: Prove the following trigonometric identities.
1. sin θ secθ cot θ=1
1−sin θ
2. =sin θ cot θ
cot θ
tan θ+cot θ
3. =sec θ
sec θ
4. tan θ+cot θ=secθ csc θ