SIMPLIFYING

TRIGONOMETRIC
EXPRESSIONS

KIM JAY C. ENCIO, Ph.D.

Course Facilitator
CONCEPT
There are many ways of
simplifying trigonometric
expressions. One way is
utilizing the magic hexagon.
CONCEPT Another way is to express
functions in terms of sin
and/or cos, perform algebraic
processes, and simplify.
sin = sin cot =
cos = cos sec =
tan = csc =
Trigonometric Identities

Quotient Identities

sin  cos 
tan   cot  
cos  sin 
Reciprocal Identities
1 1 1
sin   cos   tan  
csc  sec  cot 
Pythagorean Identities

sin2q + cos2q = 1 tan2q + 1 = sec2q cot2q + 1 = csc2q

sin2q = 1 - cos2q tan2q = sec2q - 1 cot2q = csc2q - 1

cos2q = 1 - sin2q
5.4.3
 Where did our pythagorean identities come from??

Do you remember the Unit Circle?

• What is the equation for the unit circle?

x2 + y2 = 1
• What does x = ? What does y = ?
(in terms of trig functions)

sin2θ + cos2θ = 1

Pythagorean
Identity!
Take the Pythagorean Identity and discover a
new one!
Hint: Try dividing everything by cos2θ
sin2θ + cos2θ = 1 .
cos2θ cos2θ cos2θ
tan2θ + 1 = sec2θ

Quotient Reciprocal
Identity another Identity
Pythagorean
Identity
Take the Pythagorean Identity and discover a
new one!
Hint: Try dividing everything by sin2θ
sin2θ + cos2θ = 1 .
sin2θ sin2θ sin2θ
1 + cot2θ = csc2θ

Quotient Reciprocal
Identity a third Identity
Pythagorean
Identity
 sin = sin tan = sec =
EXERCISES cos = cos cot = csc =

Simplify each expression:

1.
Solution: =
=
= = sec
 sin = sin tan = sec =
EXERCISES cos = cos cot = csc =

Simplify each expression:

2. cos csc tan
Solution:
cos csc tan
= cos
= =1
 sin = sin tan = sec =
EXERCISES cos = cos cot = csc =

Simplify each expression:

3. cos + sin cot
Solution:
cos + sin cot
= cos + sin
= cos + cos
= 2 cos
 sin = sin tan = sec =
EXERCISES cos = cos cot = csc =

Simplify each expression:

4. =
Solution: =
=
= =
 sin = sin tan = sec =
EXERCISES cos = cos cot = csc =

Simplify each expression:

5. cos cot + sin =

Solution: =
cos cot + sin = csc
= cos + sin
= + sin