Section 7.

2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 417

Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities

In this section, we begin expanding our repertoire of trigonometric identities.

Identities
The sum and difference identities
cos(α − β ) = cos(α ) cos( β ) + sin(α ) sin( β )
cos(α + β ) = cos(α ) cos( β ) − sin(α ) sin( β )
sin(α + β ) = sin(α ) cos( β ) + cos(α ) sin( β )
sin(α − β ) = sin(α ) cos( β ) − cos(α ) sin( β )

We will prove the difference of angles identity for cosine. The rest of the identities can
be derived from this one.

Proof of the difference of angles identity for cosine

Consider two points on a unit circle:
P at an angle of α from the positive x axis
C
with coordinates (cos(α ), sin(α ) )
Q at an angle of β with coordinates P
(cos(β ), sin( β ) ) Q

Notice the measure of angle POQ is α – β. α α-β

Label two more points: β D
C at an angle of α – β, with coordinates O
(cos(α − β ), sin(α − β ) ) ,
D at the point (1, 0).

Notice that the distance from C to D is the

same as the distance from P to Q because
triangle COD is a rotation of triangle POQ.

Using the distance formula to find the distance from P to Q yields

(cos(α ) − cos(β ) )2 + (sin(α ) − sin( β ) )2
Expanding this
cos 2 (α ) − 2 cos(α ) cos( β ) + cos 2 ( β ) + sin 2 (α ) − 2 sin(α ) sin( β ) + sin 2 ( β )

Applying the Pythagorean Identity and simplifying

2 − 2 cos(α ) cos( β ) − 2 sin(α ) sin( β )
418 Chapter 7

Similarly, using the distance formula to find the distance from C to D

(cos(α − β ) − 1)2 + (sin(α − β ) − 0)2
Expanding this
cos 2 (α − β ) − 2 cos(α − β ) + 1 + sin 2 (α − β )

Applying the Pythagorean Identity and simplifying

− 2 cos(α − β ) + 2

Since the two distances are the same we set these two formulas equal to each other and
simplify
2 − 2 cos(α ) cos( β ) − 2 sin(α ) sin( β ) = − 2 cos(α − β ) + 2
2 − 2 cos(α ) cos( β ) − 2 sin(α ) sin( β ) = −2 cos(α − β ) + 2
cos(α ) cos( β ) + sin(α ) sin( β ) = cos(α − β )

Establishing the identity.

Try it Now
1. By writing cos(α + β ) as cos(α − (− β )) , show the sum of angles identity for cosine
follows from the difference of angles identity proven above.

The sum and difference of angles identities are often used to rewrite expressions in other
forms, or to rewrite an angle in terms of simpler angles.

Example 1
Find the exact value of cos(75°) .

Since 75° = 30° + 45° , we can evaluate cos(75°) as

cos(75°) = cos(30° + 45°) Apply the cosine sum of angles identity
= cos(30°) cos(45°) − sin(30°) sin(45°) Evaluate
3 2 1 2
= ⋅ − ⋅ Simply
2 2 2 2
6− 2
=
4

Try it Now
π 
2. Find the exact value of sin   .
 12 
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 419

Example 2
 π
Rewrite sin  x −  in terms of sin(x) and cos(x).
 4

 π
sin  x −  Use the difference of angles identity for sine
 4
π  π 
= sin ( x ) cos  − cos( x )sin   Evaluate the cosine and sine and rearrange
4 4
2 2
= sin ( x ) − cos( x )
2 2

Additionally, these identities can be used to simplify expressions or prove new identities

Example 3
sin(a + b) tan(a ) + tan(b)
Prove = .
sin(a − b) tan(a) − tan(b)

As with any identity, we need to first decide which side to begin with. Since the left
side involves sum and difference of angles, we might start there

sin( a + b)
Apply the sum and difference of angle identities
sin( a − b)
sin( a ) cos(b) + cos(a ) sin(b)
=
sin( a ) cos(b) − cos(a ) sin(b)

Since it is not immediately obvious how to proceed, we might start on the other side,
and see if the path is more apparent.
tan(a ) + tan(b)
Rewriting the tangents using the tangent identity
tan(a ) − tan(b)

sin( a ) sin(b)
+
cos(a ) cos(b)
= Multiplying the top and bottom by cos(a)cos(b)
sin(a ) sin(b)
−
cos(a ) cos(b)

 sin(a) sin(b) 
 +  cos(a) cos(b)
 cos(a) cos(b) 
= Distributing and simplifying
 sin(a ) sin(b) 
 −  cos(a ) cos(b)
 cos(a ) cos(b) 
420 Chapter 7

sin( a ) cos(a ) + sin(b) cos(b)

= From above, we recognize this
sin( a ) cos(a ) − sin(b) cos(b)

sin(a + b)
= Establishing the identity
sin( a − b)

These identities can also be used to solve equations.

Example 4
3
Solve sin( x) sin( 2 x) + cos( x) cos(2 x) = .
2

By recognizing the left side of the equation as the result of the difference of angles
identity for cosine, we can simplify the equation
3
sin( x) sin( 2 x) + cos( x) cos(2 x) = Apply the difference of angles identity
2
3
cos( x − 2 x) =
2
3
cos(−x) = Use the negative angle identity
2
3
cos( x) =
2

Since this is a special cosine value we recognize from the unit circle, we can quickly
write the answers:
π
x= + 2πk
6
, where k is an integer
11π
x= + 2πk
6

Combining Waves of Equal Period

A sinusoidal function of the form f ( x) = A sin( Bx + C ) can be rewritten using the sum of
angles identity.

Example 5
 π
Rewrite f ( x) = 4 sin  3 x +  as a sum of sine and cosine.
 3
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 421

Using the sum of angles identity

 π
4 sin  3 x + 
 3
 π   π 
= 4 sin (3x ) cos  + cos(3x )sin    Evaluate the sine and cosine
 3  3 
 1 3
= 4 sin (3 x ) ⋅ + cos(3 x ) ⋅ 
 Distribute and simplify
 2 2 
= 2 sin (3 x ) + 2 3 cos(3 x )

Notice that the result is a stretch of the sine added to a different stretch of the cosine, but
both have the same horizontal compression, which results in the same period.

We might ask now whether this process can be reversed – can a combination of a sine
and cosine of the same period be written as a single sinusoidal function? To explore this,
we will look in general at the procedure used in the example above.

f ( x) = A sin( Bx + C ) Use the sum of angles identity

= A(sin( Bx) cos(C ) + cos( Bx) sin(C ) ) Distribute the A
= A sin( Bx) cos(C ) + A cos( Bx) sin(C ) Rearrange the terms a bit
= A cos(C ) sin( Bx) + A sin(C ) cos( Bx)

Based on this result, if we have an expression of the form m sin( Bx) + n cos( Bx) , we
could rewrite it as a single sinusoidal function if we can find values A and C so that
m sin( Bx) + n cos( Bx) = A cos(C ) sin( Bx) + A sin(C ) cos( Bx) , which will require that:
m
= cos(C )
m = A cos(C )
which can be rewritten as A
n = A sin(C ) n
= sin(C )
A

To find A,
m 2 + n 2 = ( A cos(C ) ) + ( A sin(C ) )
2 2

= A 2 cos 2 (C ) + A 2 sin 2 (C )
(
= A 2 cos 2 (C ) + sin 2 (C )) Apply the Pythagorean Identity and simplify
= A2

Rewriting a Sum of Sine and Cosine as a Single Sine

To rewrite m sin( Bx) + n cos( Bx) as A sin( Bx + C )
m n
A 2 = m 2 + n 2 , cos(C ) = , and sin(C ) =
A A
422 Chapter 7

We can use either of the last two equations to solve for possible values of C. Since there
will usually be two possible solutions, we will need to look at both to determine which
quadrant C is in and determine which solution for C satisfies both equations.

Example 6
Rewrite 4 3 sin(2 x) − 4 cos(2 x) as a single sinusoidal function.

( )
Using the formulas above, A 2 = 4 3 + (− 4 ) = 16 ⋅ 3 + 16 = 64 , so A = 8.
2 2

Solving for C,
4 3 3 π 11π
cos(C ) = = , so C = or C = .
8 2 6 6
−4 1 11π
However, since sin(C ) = = − , the angle that works for both is C =
8 2 6

Combining these results gives us the expression

 11π 
8 sin  2 x + 
 6 

Try it Now
3. Rewrite − 3 2 sin(5 x) + 3 2 cos(5 x) as a single sinusoidal function.

Rewriting a combination of sine and cosine of equal periods as a single sinusoidal

function provides an approach for solving some equations.

Example 7
Solve 3 sin(2 x) + 4 cos(2 x) = 1 to find two positive solutions.

To approach this, since the sine and cosine have the same period, we can rewrite them
as a single sinusoidal function.
A 2 = (3) + (4 ) = 25 , so A = 5
2 2

3 3
cos(C ) = , so C = cos −1   ≈ 0.927 or C = 2π − 0.927 = 5.356
5 5
4
Since sin(C ) = , a positive value, we need the angle in the first quadrant, C = 0.927.
5
Using this, our equation becomes
5 sin (2 x + 0.927 ) = 1 Divide by 5
1
sin (2 x + 0.927 ) = Make the substitution u = 2x + 0.927
5
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 423

1
sin (u ) = The inverse gives a first solution
5
1
u = sin −1   ≈ 0.201 By symmetry, the second solution is
5
u = π − 0.201 = 2.940 A third solution is
u = 2π + 0.201 = 6.485

Undoing the substitution, we can find two positive solutions for x.

2 x + 0.927 = 0.201 or 2 x + 0.927 = 2.940 or 2 x + 0.927 = 6.485
2 x = −0.726 2 x = 2.013 2 x = 5.558
x = −0.363 x = 1.007 x = 2.779

Since the first of these is negative, we eliminate it and keep the two positive solutions,
x = 1.007 and x = 2.779 .

The Product-to-Sum and Sum-to-Product Identities

Identities
The Product-to-Sum Identities
1
sin(α ) cos( β ) = (sin(α + β ) + sin(α − β ) )
2
1
sin(α ) sin( β ) = (cos(α − β ) − cos(α + β ) )
2
1
cos(α ) cos( β ) = (cos(α + β ) + cos(α − β ) )
2

We will prove the first of these, using the sum and difference of angles identities from the
beginning of the section. The proofs of the other two identities are similar and are left as
an exercise.

Proof of the product-to-sum identity for sin(α)cos(β)

Recall the sum and difference of angles identities from earlier
sin(α + β ) = sin(α ) cos( β ) + cos(α ) sin( β )
sin(α − β ) = sin(α ) cos( β ) − cos(α ) sin( β )

Adding these two equations, we obtain

sin(α + β ) + sin(α − β ) = 2 sin(α ) cos( β )

Dividing by 2, we establish the identity

1
sin(α ) cos( β ) = (sin(α + β ) + sin(α − β ) )
2
424 Chapter 7

Example 8
Write sin(2t ) sin(4t ) as a sum or difference.

Using the product-to-sum identity for a product of sines

1
sin( 2t ) sin( 4t ) = (cos(2t − 4t ) − cos(2t + 4t ) )
2
1
= (cos(−2t ) − cos(6t ) ) If desired, apply the negative angle identity
2
1
= (cos(2t ) − cos(6t ) ) Distribute
2
1 1
= cos(2t ) − cos(6t )
2 2

Try it Now
 11π  π 
4. Evaluate cos  cos  .
 12   12 

Identities
The Sum-to-Product Identities
u +v u −v
sin (u ) + sin (v ) = 2 sin   cos 
 2   2 
u −v u +v
sin (u ) − sin (v ) = 2 sin   cos 
 2   2 
u +v u −v
cos(u ) + cos(v ) = 2 cos  cos 
 2   2 
u +v u −v
cos(u ) − cos(v ) = −2 sin   sin  
 2   2 

We will again prove one of these and leave the rest as an exercise.

Proof of the sum-to-product identity for sine functions

We begin with the product-to-sum identity
1
sin(α ) cos( β ) = (sin(α + β ) + sin(α − β ) )
2

We define two new variables:

u =α +β
v =α −β
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 425

u+v
Adding these equations yields u + v = 2α , giving α =
2
u−v
Subtracting the equations yields u − v = 2 β , or β =
2

Substituting these expressions into the product-to-sum identity above,

u +v u −v 1
sin   cos  = (sin (u ) + sin (v )) Multiply by 2 on both sides
 2   2  2
u +v u −v
2 sin   cos  = sin (u ) + sin (v ) Establishing the identity
 2   2 

Example 9
Evaluate cos(15°) − cos(75°) .

Using the sum-to-product identity for the difference of cosines,

cos(15°) − cos(75°)
 15° + 75°   15° − 75° 
= −2 sin   sin   Simplify
 2   2 

= −2 sin (45°)sin (− 30°) Evaluate

2 −1 2
= −2 ⋅ ⋅ =
2 2 2

Example 10
cos(4t ) − cos(2t )
Prove the identity = − tan(t ) .
sin( 4t ) + sin( 2t )

Since the left side seems more complicated, we can start there and simplify.
cos(4t ) − cos(2t )
Using the sum-to-product identities
sin( 4t ) + sin( 2t )
 4t + 2t   4t − 2t 
− 2 sin   sin  
 2   2 
= Simplify
 4t + 2t   4t − 2t 
2 sin   cos 
 2   2 
− 2 sin (3t )sin (t )
= Simplify further
2 sin (3t ) cos(t )
− sin (t )
= Rewrite as a tangent
cos(t )
= − tan(t ) Establishing the identity
426 Chapter 7

Try it Now
5. Notice that, using the negative angle identity, sin (u ) − sin (v ) = sin(u ) + sin(−v) . Use
this along with the sum of sines identity to prove the sum-to-product identity for
sin (u ) − sin (v ) .

Example 11
Solve sin (π t ) + sin ( 3π t ) =
cos(π t ) for all solutions with 0 ≤ t < 2 .

In an equation like this, it is not immediately obvious how to proceed. One option
would be to combine the two sine functions on the left side of the equation. Another
would be to move the cosine to the left side of the equation, and combine it with one of
the sines. For no particularly good reason, we’ll begin by combining the sines on the
left side of the equation and see how things work out.
sin (π t ) + sin ( 3π t ) =
cos(π t ) Apply the sum to product identity on the left
 π t + 3π t   π t − 3π t 
2sin   cos   = cos(π t ) Simplify
 2   2 
2sin ( 2π t ) cos ( −π t ) = cos(π t ) Apply the negative angle identity
2sin ( 2π t ) cos (π t ) = cos(π t ) Rearrange the equation to be 0 on one side
2sin ( 2π t ) cos (π t ) − cos(π t ) =
0 Factor out the cosine
cos (π t ) ( 2sin ( 2π t ) − 1) =
0

Using the Zero Product Theorem we know that at least one of the two factors must be
2π
zero. The first factor, cos (π t ) , has period P = = 2 , so the solution interval of
π
0 ≤ t < 2 represents one full cycle of this function.
cos (π t ) = 0 Substitute u = π t
cos(u ) = 0 On one cycle, this has solutions
π 3π
u = or u = Undo the substitution
2 2

π 1
πt = , so t =
2 2
3π 3
πt = , so t =
2 2

2π
The second factor, 2sin ( 2π t ) − 1 , has period of P = = 1 , so the solution interval
2π
0 ≤ t < 2 contains two complete cycles of this function.
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 427

2sin ( 2π t ) − 1 =0 Isolate the sine

1
sin ( 2π t ) = u = 2π t
2
1
sin(u ) = On one cycle, this has solutions
2
π 5π
u= or u = On the second cycle, the solutions are
6 6

π 13π 5π 17π
u = 2π + = or u = 2π + = Undo the substitution
6 6 6 6

π 1
2π t = , so t =
6 12
5π 5
2π t = , so t =
6 12
13π 13
2π t = , so t =
6 12
17π 17
2π t = , so t =
6 12

Altogether, we found six solutions on

0 ≤ t < 2 , which we can confirm by
looking at the graph.
1 5 1 13 3 17
t= , , , , ,
12 12 2 12 2 12

Important Topics of This Section

The sum and difference identities
Combining waves of equal periods
Product-to-sum identities
Sum-to-product identities
Completing proofs

Try it Now Answers

cos(α + β ) = cos(α − (− β ))
cos(α ) cos(− β ) + sin(α ) sin(− β )
1.
cos(α ) cos( β ) + sin(α )(− sin( β ))
cos(α ) cos( β ) − sin(α ) sin( β )
428 Chapter 7

6− 2
2.
4
 3π 
3. 6 sin  5 x + 
 4 
−2− 3
4.
4
5. sin(u ) − sin(v) Use negative angle identity for sine
sin(u ) + sin(−v) Use sum-to-product identity for sine
 u + (− v )   u − (− v ) 
2 sin   cos 
 2   2  Eliminate the parenthesis
u −v u +v
2 sin   cos 
 2   2  Establishing the identity
 Section 7.2 Addition and Subtraction Identities 429

Section 7.2 Exercises

Find an exact value for each of the following.

1. sin ( 75° ) 2. sin (195° ) 3. cos(165°) 4. cos(345°)
 7π  π   5π   11π 
5. cos   6. cos   7. sin   8. sin  
 12   12   12   12 

Rewrite in terms of sin ( x ) and cos ( x ) .

 11π   3π   5π   2π 
9. sin  x +  10. sin  x −  11. cos  x −  12. cos  x + 
 6   4   6   3 

Simplify each expression.

π  π  π  π 
13. csc  − t  14. sec  − w  15. cot  − x  16. tan  − x 
2  2  2  2 

Rewrite the product as a sum.

17. 16sin (16 x ) sin (11x ) 18. 20 cos ( 36t ) cos ( 6t )
19. 2sin ( 5 x ) cos ( 3x ) 20. 10 cos ( 5 x ) sin (10 x )

Rewrite the sum as a product.

21. cos ( 6t ) + cos ( 4t ) 22. cos ( 6u ) + cos ( 4u )
23. sin ( 3 x ) + sin ( 7 x ) 24. sin ( h ) + sin ( 3h )

2 1 π 
25. Given sin ( a ) = and cos ( b ) = − , with a and b both in the interval  2 , π  :
3 4
a. Find sin ( a + b ) b. Find cos ( a − b )

4 1  π
26. Given sin ( a ) = and cos ( b ) = , with a and b both in the interval 0, 2  :
5 3
a. Find sin ( a − b ) b. Find cos ( a + b )

Solve each equation for all solutions.

27. sin ( 3 x ) cos ( 6 x ) − cos ( 3 x ) sin ( 6 x ) =
−0.9
28. sin ( 6 x ) cos (11x ) − cos ( 6 x ) sin (11x ) =
−0.1
29. cos ( 2 x ) cos ( x ) + sin ( 2 x ) sin ( x ) =
1
3
30. cos ( 5 x ) cos ( 3 x ) − sin ( 5 x ) sin ( 3 x ) =
2
430 Chapter 7

Solve each equation for all solutions.

31. cos ( 5 x ) = − cos ( 2 x )
32. sin ( 5 x ) = sin ( 3 x )
33. cos ( 6θ ) − cos ( 2θ ) =
sin ( 4θ )
34. cos ( 8θ ) − cos ( 2θ ) =
sin ( 5θ )

Rewrite as a single function of the form A sin( Bx + C ) .

35. 4sin ( x ) − 6 cos ( x ) 36. − sin ( x ) − 5cos ( x )
37. 5sin ( 3 x ) + 2 cos ( 3 x ) 38. −3sin ( 5 x ) + 4 cos ( 5 x )

Solve for the first two positive solutions.

39. −5sin ( x ) + 3cos ( x ) =
1 40. 3sin ( x ) + cos ( x ) =
2
41. 3sin ( 2 x ) − 5cos ( 2 x ) =
3 42. −3sin ( 4 x ) − 2 cos ( 4 x ) =
1

Simplify.
sin ( 7t ) + sin ( 5t ) sin ( 9t ) − sin ( 3t )
43. 44.
cos ( 7t ) + cos ( 5t ) cos ( 9t ) + cos ( 3t )

Prove the identity.

 π  tan ( x ) + 1
44. tan  x +  =
 4  1 − tan ( x )
π  1 − tan ( t )
45. tan  − t  =
 4  1 + tan ( t )
46. cos ( a + b ) + cos ( a − b ) =
2 cos ( a ) cos ( b )
cos ( a + b ) 1 − tan ( a ) tan ( b )
47. =
cos ( a − b ) 1 + tan ( a ) tan ( b )
tan ( a + b ) sin ( a ) cos ( a ) + sin ( b ) cos ( b )
48. =
tan ( a − b ) sin ( a ) cos ( a ) − sin ( b ) cos ( b )
49. 2sin ( a + b ) sin ( a −
= b ) cos ( 2b ) − cos(2a)
sin ( x ) + sin ( y ) 1 
50. = tan  ( x + y ) 
cos ( x ) + cos ( y ) 2 
cos ( a + b )
51. = 1 − tan ( a ) tan ( b )
cos ( a ) cos ( b )
52. cos ( x + y ) cos ( x − y=
) cos 2 x − sin 2 y