19.5.

MULTIPLE AND HALF ANGLE FORMULAS

5.1. MULTIPLE ANGLE FORMULAS
As you might expect, the multiple angle formulas are nothing more than special cases of the sum
formulas.
Examples 5.1.1
a) Use the expansion of sin(∝ +𝛽) to show that sin 2𝛼 = 2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼
Solution
sin(∝ +𝛽) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
Let ∝= 𝛽

sin(∝ +∝) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼

𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐 ∝ = 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧 ∝ 𝐜𝐨𝐬 ∝ (1.1)
4
b) Find sin 2𝛼 if sin 𝛼 = 5 and 𝛼 is in the first quadrant

Solution
SOHCAHTOA y
5
𝛼 4
3

3
cos 𝛼 =
5
4 3 24
sin 2𝛼 = 2 sin 𝛼 cos 𝛼 = 2 ( ) ( ) =
5 5 25
Substituting 𝛼 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝛽 in the formula for cos(𝛼 + 𝛽) produces

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

cos(𝛼 + 𝛼) = cos 𝛼 cos 𝛼 − sin 𝛼 sin 𝛼
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝜶 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜶 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜶 (1.2)

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 Two other forms of cos 2𝛼 can be obtained by using the basic identity

𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 = 1
Substitute1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝛼 for 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝛼 produces;

cos 2 𝛼 − sin2 𝛼 = (1 − sin2 𝛼) − sin2 𝛼

𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜶 = 𝟏 − 𝟐 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝟐 𝜶 (1.3)
Similarly, substituting 1 − cos2 𝛼 for sin2 𝛼 produces

cos2 𝛼 − sin2 𝛼 = cos2 𝛼 − (1 − sin2 𝛼)

𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜶 = 𝟐 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝟐 𝜶 − 𝟏(1.4)
Summary

𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜶 = 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜶

or
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜶 = 𝟏 − 𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝟐 𝜶
or
𝒄𝒐𝒔 𝟐𝜶 = 𝟐 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜶 − 𝟏

Substituting 𝛼 for 𝛽 in the formula for tan(𝛼 + 𝛽) produces

tan 𝛼 + tan 𝛽
tan(𝛼 + 𝛽) =
1 − tan 𝛼 tan 𝛽
tan 𝛼 + tan 𝛼
tan(𝛼 + 𝛼) =
1 − tan 𝛼 tan 𝛼
𝟐 𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝜶
𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝟐𝜶 = 𝟏−𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟐 𝜶 (1.5)
5
a) Find sin 2𝜃 ,cos 2𝜃 and tan 2𝜃 if sin 𝜃 = − 13 and 𝜃 is a fourth quadrant angle

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 Solution
y

𝜃
12
x
13 −5

12 5
cos 𝜃 = 13 and tan 𝜃 = − 12

Now we can use the double angle identities

sin 2𝜃 = 2 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
5 12
= 2 (− )( )
13 13
120
=−
169
cos 2𝜃 = cos2 𝜃 − sin2 𝜃

12 2 −5 2 144 25 119
=( ) −( ) = − =
13 13 169 169 169
2 tan 𝜃
tan 2𝜃 =
1 − tan2 𝜃
5 10 −5
2 (− ) − −5 144 120
12 12 6
= = = =( )( )=−
−5 2 1−
25 119 6 119 119
1 − ( 12 ) 144 144

b) Verify the identity cos 2𝛼 = cos4 𝛼 − sin4 𝛼

Solution
cos4 𝛼 − sin4 𝛼 = (cos2 𝛼 + sin2 𝛼)(cos2 𝛼 − sin2 𝛼)
= cos 2 𝛼 − sin2 𝛼
= cos 2𝛼
hence shown

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 c) Solve the equation cos 2𝜃 − cos 𝜃 = 0 where 00 ≤ 𝜃 < 3600
Solution

We substitute 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1 for cos 2𝜃

cos 2𝜃 − cos 𝜃 = 0
(2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 1) − cos 𝜃 = 0
2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
(2 cos 𝜃 + 1)(𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 1) = 0
2 cos 𝜃 + 1 = 0 or cos 𝜃 − 1 = 0
1
cos 𝜃 = − 2 or cos 𝜃 = 1
1
If cos 𝜃 = − 2 then 𝜃 = 1200 or 2400

If cos 𝜃 = 1 then 𝜃 = 00
Therefore, the solutions are 00 ,1200 and 2400
5.2. HALF ANGLE FORMULAS

𝛼 𝛼
Half angle formulas for sin (𝛽) and cos (𝛽) are direct consequences of the identities

for cos 2𝛼.First, let’s solve the equation cos 2𝛼 = 1 − 2 sin2 𝛼 for sin 𝛼

1 − 2 sin2 𝛼 = cos 2𝛼
−2 sin2 𝛼 = cos 2𝛼 − 1
1 − cos 2𝛼
sin2 𝛼 =
2

1 − cos 2𝛼
sin 𝛼 = ±√
2
𝛼
Now substituting 2 for 𝛼 yields

𝜶 𝟏−𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐 = ±√ (2.1)
𝟐

𝛼
A formula for cos ( 2 ) can be obtained by solving cos 2𝛼 = 2 cos2 𝛼 − 1 for cos 𝛼

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 2 cos 2 𝛼 − 1 = cos 2𝛼
2 cos 2 𝛼 = 1 + cos 2𝛼
1 + cos 2𝛼
cos2 𝛼 =
2

1 + cos 2𝛼
cos 𝛼 = ±√
2
𝛼
Again substitute 2 for 𝛼 yields

𝜶 𝟏+𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝟐 = ±√ (2.2)
𝟐

Note:
𝛼 𝛼
In the formula for sin ( 2 ) and cos ( 2 ),the choice of the plus or minus sign is determined by the
𝛼
quadrant in which 2 lies
𝛼
To obtain a formula for tan ( 2 ), we proceed as follows:

𝛼 1−cos 𝛼
𝛼 sin 2 ±√ 2
tan = =
2 cos 𝛼 1+cos 𝛼
2 ±√ 2

𝟏−𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
= ±√𝟏+𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶 (2.3)

𝛼 𝛼 1−cos 𝛼(1−cos 𝛼)
An alternative form for tan ( 2 ) is tan 2 = ±√1+cos 𝛼(1−cos 𝛼)

(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)2
= ±√
1 − cos 2 𝛼

(1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)2
= ±√
sin2 𝛼
𝟏−𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
= (2.4)
𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶

We no longer need the ± sign because 1 − cos 𝛼 is never negative

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 1 − cos 𝛼(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) 1 − cos2 𝛼
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼) 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)
sin2 𝛼
=
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼(1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼)
𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶
= (𝟏+𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶) (2.5)

Therefore, the following general formulas can be stated:

𝜶 𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
𝐭𝐚𝐧 =±√
𝟐 𝟏 + 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶

or
𝜶 𝟏 − 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜶
𝐭𝐚𝐧 =
𝟐 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜶
or
𝜶 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝜶
𝐭𝐚𝐧 =
𝟐 𝟏 + 𝒄𝒐𝒔𝜶
Examples5.2.1
4 𝛼 𝛼 𝛼
a) If 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 = − and 𝛼 is in the third quadrant, find 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) ,cos ( ) and tan ( )
5 2 2 2

Solution
𝛼 𝛼
Because 𝛼 is in the third quadrant, 2 is in the second quadrant, thus, 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( 2 )is
𝛼
positive and cos ( 2 ) is negative

−4 4 9
𝛼 1 − cos 𝛼 1−(5) 1 + (5) 9 3√10
sin = √ == √ =√ = √5 = √ =
2 2 2 2 2 10 10

−4 1
𝛼 1 + cos 𝛼 1+(5) 1 √10
cos = −√ = −√ = −√ 5 = −√ = −
2 2 2 2 10 10
−4
𝛼 1 − cos 𝛼 1 − ( 5 ) 9
tan = = −3 = 5 = −3
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 −3
5
5

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 b) Find the exact value oftan 67.50
Solution
𝛼 1 − cos 𝛼
tan =
2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
1
tan 67.50 = tan (1350 ), 𝛼 = 1350
2

1 − cos 1350
0
tan 67.5 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛1350
−√2 √2 √2
1−( ) 1+ 2+ 2 + √2
0 2 2 2
tan 67.5 = = = = = 1 + √2
−√2 √2 √2 √2
2 2 2

5.3. YOU CAN WRITE EXPRESSIONS OF THE FORM 𝒂 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜽 + 𝒃𝒔𝒊𝒏𝜽,WHERE 𝒂 AND b ARE
CONSTANTS AS A SINE FUNCTION ONLY OR AS A COSINE FUNCTION ONLY.
Using the addition formulae, you can show that all expressions of the form
𝑎 cos 𝜃 + 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
can be expressed in the form:

𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 ± 𝛼) where 𝑅 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 < 𝛼 < 900 or

𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠(𝑥 ± 𝛼) where 𝑅 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 < 𝛽 < 900
Examples 5.3.2
a) Show that you can express 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 in the form

𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 + 𝛼), 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑅 > 0, 0 < 𝛼 < 900

Solution
Use sin(𝛼 + 𝛽) ≡ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽 and multiply by 𝑅
𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 + 𝛼) ≡ 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 + 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
Let 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 ≡ 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 + 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼
So 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 = 3 and 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = 4
Divide the equations to find tan 𝛼
𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 4 4
= 3 or tan 𝛼 = 3
𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼

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 Square and add the equations to find 𝑅 2

𝑅 2 cos2 𝛼 + 𝑅 2 sin2 𝛼 = 32 + 42
𝑅 2 (cos 2 𝛼 + sin2 𝛼) = 32 + 42

𝑅 = √32 + 42 = √5
4
Therefore, 3𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 5 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 + tan−1 3).

b) Express 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 − √3 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 in the form 𝑅 sin(𝑥 − 𝛼), where 𝑅 > 0 ,

𝜋
and 0 < 𝛼 < and hence sketch the graph of 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 − √3 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥
2

Solution
sin(𝛼 − 𝛽) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛽 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛽
R(sin(𝑥 − 𝛼) = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼)
Rsin(𝑥 − 𝛼) = 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼

𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 − √3 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 − 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼

𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 = 1 − 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = −√3 =≫ 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 = √3

2
𝑅 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 2 + 𝑅 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 2 = 12 + √3
𝑅 2 = 4 =≫ 𝑅 = ±2 hence 𝑅 = 2
𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛼 √3 𝜋
= = √3 𝑇𝑎𝑛 𝛼 = √3 =≫ 𝛼 = 60 =
𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠𝛼 1 3
𝜋
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥 − √3 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 (𝑥 − )
3
Summary
For positive values of a and b , 𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ± 𝑏𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 can be expressed in the form
𝜋
𝑅 sin(𝜃 ± 𝛼) with > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 < 𝛼 < 900 (𝑜𝑟 2 ) . 𝑎𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ± 𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜋
can be expressed in the form 𝑅 cos(𝜃 ± 𝛼) with 𝑅 > 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 < 𝛼 < 900 (𝑜𝑟 2 )

where 𝑅 cos 𝛼 = 𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑅 sin 𝛼 = 𝑏 and 𝑅 = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2

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 5.4. YOU CAN EXPRESS SUMS AND DIFFERENCES OF SINES AND COSINES AS PRODUCTS OF
SINES AND/OR COSINES BY USING THE FACTOR FORMULAE.
𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
sin 𝑃 + sin 𝑄 ≡ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( )
2 2

𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
sin 𝑃 − sin 𝑄 ≡ 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )
2 2

𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
cos 𝑃 + cos 𝑄 ≡ 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( )
2 2

𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
cos 𝑃 − cos 𝑄 ≡ −2𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )
2 2
These identities are derived from addition formulae

Example 5.4.1
a) Show that
𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
sin 𝑃 + sin 𝑄 ≡ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( )
2 2
Solution
sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) ≡ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵 and sin(𝐴 − 𝐵) ≡ 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐴𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐵
Add the two equations.
sin(𝐴 + 𝐵) + sin(𝐴 − 𝐵) ≡ 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝐴𝑐𝑜𝑠𝐵 (4.1)
𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
Let 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑝 and 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝑄 then 𝐴 = and 𝐵 =
2 2

And substituting this in equation (4.1) we get

𝑷+𝑸 𝑷−𝑸
𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑷 + 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝑸 ≡ 𝟐𝒔𝒊𝒏 ( ) 𝒄𝒐𝒔 ( )
𝟐 𝟐
Note:

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 The other three factor formulas are proved in a similar manner, by adding or
subtracting two appropriate addition formulas.
b) Using the result that
𝑃+𝑄 𝑃−𝑄
sin 𝑃 − sin 𝑄 ≡ 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )
2 2
1
show that sin 1050 − sin 150 =
√2

Solution
1050 + 150 1050 − 150
sin 1050 − sin 150 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( )
2 2

= 2 cos 600 sin 450

1 1 1
= 2( )( ) =
2 √2 √2
c) Solve, for 0 ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 𝜋, sin 4𝜃 − 3 sin 3𝜃 = 0
Solution

7𝜃 𝜃
sin 4𝜃 − 3 sin 3𝜃 = 2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) = 0
2 2
7𝜃 𝜃
2𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) 𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) = 0
2 2
7𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( ) = 0
2
7𝜃 𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋 7𝜋
= , , ,
2 2 2 2 2
𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋
∴ 𝜃= , , ,𝜋
7 7 7
or
𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) = 0
2
𝜃
= 0,𝜃 = 0
2
𝜋 3𝜋 5𝜋
Thus, the solutions are 0, 7 , , ,𝜋
7 7

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