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Mathematics LibreTexts

6.4.1: Resources and Key Concepts

  • Page ID
    196939
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    Key Concepts

    Theorems

    • Power Reduction Identities:
      • \(\sin^2(\theta) = \frac{1 - \cos(2\theta)}{2}\)
      • \(\cos^2(\theta) = \frac{1 + \cos(2\theta)}{2}\)
      • \(\tan^2(\theta) = \frac{1 - \cos(2\theta)}{1 + \cos(2\theta)}\)
    • Half-Angle Identities:
      • \(\sin\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1 - \cos(\theta)}{2}}\)
      • \(\cos\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1 + \cos(\theta)}{2}}\)
      • \(\tan\left(\frac{\theta}{2}\right) = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1 - \cos(\theta)}{1 + \cos(\theta)}} = \frac{\sin(\theta)}{1 + \cos(\theta)} = \frac{1 - \cos(\theta)}{\sin(\theta)}\)

    Common Mistakes

    • Forgetting the \(\pm\) Sign: The Half-Angle Identities for sine and cosine include a \(\pm\) symbol. This does not mean both signs are correct. You must determine the correct sign (positive or negative) based on the quadrant in which the half-angle \(\frac{\theta}{2}\) terminates.
    • Determining the Sign from the Wrong Angle: The sign for a half-angle identity, like \(\sin(\frac{\theta}{2})\), depends on the quadrant of \(\frac{\theta}{2}\), not the quadrant of the original angle \(\theta\).
    • Incorrectly Applying Power Reduction: The Power Reduction Identities are used to rewrite even powers of sine and cosine in terms of the first power of cosine. They cannot be used directly on odd powers.

    This page titled 6.4.1: Resources and Key Concepts is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Roy Simpson.

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