4.

6 – Trigonometric Identities

 An identity is an equation that is always true, regardless of the value of the variable.
 To prove an identity, you must show that LS = RS of the equation (without moving across the = sign).
 The basic trigonometry identities are:

Pythagorean Identity

Quotient Identity

Reciprocal Identities

Examples
1. Consider the equation

a) Show that it is true for x  30°. b) Show that it is true for x  45°.

c) Explain why showing that the equation is true for x  30° and 45° is not a proof that the equation is
true for all values of x.
2. Prove that the equation in question 1, is always true.

3. Prove that tan2 x  cos2 x  sec2 x  cos2 x  1

4. In the proof of , Simon simplified as follows:

He knew that this was true because it was the Pythagorean identity. Is his proof valid? Explain why or
why not.

HW: page 273, #3 – 9