In this chapter we apply some techniques from algebra to analyze more complicated trigonometric expressions. Before we begin, let’s review some algebraic terminology.
Algebra Refresher.
An algebraic expression is any meaningful collection of numbers, variables, and operation symbols. For example, the height of a golf ball is given in feet by the expression \(-16t^2 + 64t\text{,}\) where \(t\) is the number of seconds after the ball is hit.
We evaluate an expression by substituting a specific value for the variable or variables involved. Thus, after 1 second, the height of the golf ball is
Trigonometric ratios represent numbers, and they may appear as part of an algebraic expression. Expressions containing trig ratios can be simplified or evaluated like other algebraic expressions.
Note5.1.
Keep in mind that \(\sin (X)\text{,}\) for example, is not a product: it does not mean "sin times X" (whatever that might be). Instead, "sin" is the name of a function, and \(\sin (X)\) means to evaluate the sine function at X. Thus, \(\sin (X)\) is a single number, the output of the sine function.
Example5.2.
Evaluate each expression for \(X = 30\degree\) and \(Y = 135\degree\text{.}\)
\(\displaystyle 2 \tan (Y) + 3\sin (X)\)
\(\displaystyle 6\tan (X) \cos (Y)\)
Solution.
Substituting the values for \(X\) and \(Y\text{,}\) we get
(You can check this for yourself.) We must follow the order of operations and evaluate the expression \(3X + 45\degree\) inside parentheses before applying the sine function.
SubsectionSimplifying Trigonometric Expressions
Because expressions such as \(\sin (x)\) and \(\tan (\theta)\) are just variables, we can use algebra skills to simplify expressions involving the trig functions. For the rest of this section, we’ll try to illustrate all the skills you will need going forward with your study of trigonometry.
More Algebra.
When we simplify an algebraic expression, we obtain a new expression that has the same values as the old one, but is easier to work with. For example, we can apply the distributive law and combine like terms to simplify
The new expression is equivalent to the old one, that is, the expressions have the same value when we evaluate them at any value of \(x\text{.}\) For instance, you can check that, at \(x = \alert{3}\text{,}\)
Both calculations are examples of combining like terms. In the second calculation, we treat \(\cos (\theta)\) and \(\sin (\theta)\) as variables, just as we treat \(x\) and \(y\) as variables in the first calculation.
In the previous Checkpoint, note that \(\cos (t)\) and \(\cos (w)\) are not like terms. (We can choose values for \(t\) and \(w\) so that \(\cos (t)\) and \(\cos (w)\) have different values.)
Example5.8.
Simplify, and evaluate for \(z = 40\degree\text{.}\)
We usually write \(\cos^2 (\theta)\) instead of \(\left(\cos (\theta)\right)^2\text{,}\) to distinguish it from \(\cos (\theta^2)\text{,}\) and to reduce the number of parentheses. Thus, \(\cos^2 (\theta)\) means the square of \(\cos (\theta)\text{.}\)
Other powers are written in the same fashion. Thus, for example, \(\sin^3(\theta) = \Big(\sin (\theta)\Big)^3\text{.}\)
Checkpoint5.11.
Evaluate \(\tan^4 (60\degree)\)
Answer.
\(9\)
SubsectionProducts
We can multiply together trigonometric expressions, just as we multiply algebraic expressions. Recall that we use the distributive law in computing products such as
Using the distributive law, multiply \(~~\cos (t) \Big(3 \cos (t) - 2\Big)\text{.}\)
Solution.
Think of \(\cos (t)\) as a single variable, and multiply by each term inside parentheses. (The algebraic form of the calculation is shown below in blue).
We can also use the distributive law to multiply binomials that include trig ratios. You may have used the acronym \(\blert{FOIL}\) to remember the four multiplications in a product of binomials:
\(~~~~~~~~\blert{F}\)irst terms, \(\blert{O}\)utside terms, \(\blert{I}\)nside terms, and \(\blert{L}\)ast terms.
This calculation is similar to the product \((4x - 1)(3x+2)\text{,}\) except that the variable \(x\) has been replaced by \(\sin (C)\text{.}\) Compare the calculations for the two products; first the familiar algebraic product:
We can factor trigonometric expressions with the same techniques we use for algebraic expressions. In the next two Examples, compare the familiar algebraic factoring with a similar trigonometric expression.
We look for numbers \(p\) and \(q\) so that \((t + p)(t + q) = t^2 - 3t - 10\text{.}\) We see that their product must be \(~pq = -10~\text{,}\) and their sum must be \(~p + q = -3\text{.}\) By checking the factors of \(-10\) for the correct sum, we find \(p = -5\) and \(q = 2\text{.}\) Thus,
Review the following skills you will need for this section.
Algebra Refresher5.1.
Factor.
\(\displaystyle 2x^2 + 5x - 12\)
\(\displaystyle 3x^2 - 2x - 8\)
\(\displaystyle 12x^2 + x - 1\)
\(\displaystyle 6x^2 - 13x - 15\)
\(\displaystyle 6x^2 - x - 12\)
\(\displaystyle 24x^2 + 10x - 21\)
\(\underline{\qquad\qquad\qquad\qquad}\)
Algebra Refresher Answers
\(\displaystyle (2x - 3)(x + 4)\)
\(\displaystyle (3x + 4)(x - 2)\)
\(\displaystyle (4x - 1)(3x + 1)\)
\(\displaystyle (6x + 5)(x - 3)\)
\(\displaystyle (2x - 3)(3x + 4)\)
\(\displaystyle (6x + 7)(4x - 3)\)
SubsectionSection 5.1 Summary
SubsubsectionVocabulary
Expression
Evaluate
Binomial
Trinomial
Simplify
Equivalent expression
Like terms
Distributive law
Factor
SubsubsectionConcepts
Expressions containing trig ratios can be simplified or evaluated like other algebraic expressions. To simplify an expression containing trig ratios, we treat each ratio as a single variable.
\(\sin (X + Y)\) is not equal to \(\sin (X) + \sin (Y)\) (and the same holds for the other trig ratios). Remember that the parentheses indicate function notation, not multiplication.
We write \(\cos^2 (\theta)\) to denote \((\cos 9)^2\text{,}\) and \(\cos^n (\theta)\) to denote \((\cos (\theta))^n\text{.}\) (Similarly for the other trig ratios.)
We can factor trigonometric expressions with the same techniques we use for algebraic expressions.
SubsubsectionStudy Questions
To evaluate \(\cos^2 (30\degree)\text{,}\) Delbert used the keystrokes
and got the answer 1. Were his keystrokes correct? Why or why not?
Make up an example to show that \(\tan (\theta + \phi) \not= \tan (\theta) + \tan (\phi)\text{.}\)
Factor each expression, if possible.
\(\displaystyle x^2 - 4x\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 - 4\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 + 4\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 + 4x + 4\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 - 4x + 4\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 + 4x\)
\(\displaystyle x^2 - 4x - 4\)
\(\displaystyle -x^2 + 4\)
SubsubsectionSkills
Evaluate trigonometric expressions #1–22
Simplify trigonometric expressions #23–34
Recognize equivalent expressions #35–44
Multiply or expand trigonometric expressions #45–56
Factor trigonometric expressions #57–70
ExercisesHomework 5.1
Exercise Group.
For Problems 1–8, evaluate the expressions, using exact values for the trigonometric ratios.
1.
\(5 \tan (135\degree) + 6 \cos (60\degree)\)
2.
\(3 \tan (240\degree) + 8 \sin (300\degree)\)
3.
\(\sin (15\degree + 30\degree)\)
4.
\(\cos(2 \cdot 75\degree)\)
5.
\(8 \cos^2 (30\degree)\)
6.
\(12 \sin^2 (315\degree)\)
7.
\(3 \tan^2 (150\degree) - \sin^2 (45\degree)\)
8.
\(1 + \tan^2 (120\degree)\)
Exercise Group.
For Problems 9–16, evaluate the expressions for \(x = 30\degree,~y = 45\degree\text{,}\) and \(z = 60\degree\text{.}\) Give exact values for your answers.
9.
\(3 \sin (x) + 5 \cos (y)\)
10.
\(4 \tan (y) + 6 \cos (y)\)
11.
\(-2 \tan (3y)\)
12.
\(\sin (3z - 2x)\)
13.
\(\cos^2 (x) + \sin^2 (x)\)
14.
\(7 \sin^2 (y) + 7 \cos^2 (y)\)
15.
\(\cos (x) \cos (z) - \sin (x) \sin (z)\)
16.
\(\tan (180\degree - x) \tan (x)\)
Exercise Group.
For Problems 17–22,evaluate the expressions using a calculator.