Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions: I. Objectives

Precalculus 2nd Trimester, S.Y.
2020-2021
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
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2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph Grade Level/Section: Grade 11
MODULE 3 –Math 1 Subject Teacher:
Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

I. Objectives:
At the end of the module, the learner should be able to:
a. know the basic trigonometric identities;
b. simplify trigonometric expressions; and
c. verify trigonometric expressions.
II. Lesson Proper

Recall that if P(x , y) is the terminal point on the unit circle corresponding to an angle ( ), then we have
From the definitions, the following reciprocal and quotient identities immediately follow. Note
that these identities hold if θ is taken either as a real number or as an angle.
Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

1 1
sin = csc = sin
tan =
1 1
cos = sec sec = cos
cot =
1 1
sin
tan = cot =
If P(x, y) is the terminal point on the unit circle corresponding to θ, then x2 + y2 = 1.
Since sin θ = y and cos θ = x, we get 2 2

+ =1(1)
Dividing 2
from this equation, we get
sin2 2
+
2 2
sin sin
1 + cot2 =
2
(2)
Dividing 2
from equation (1), we get
sin2 2
2 + 2 =
tan 2
+ 1 = sec 2
(3)
These three equations represent the Trigonometric Pythagorean Identities summarized in the following
table.
2 2
Pythagorean Identities
+ =1 1 + cot2 = 2
tan2 + 1 = sec2
Page 1 of 8
Precalculus 2nd Trimester, S.Y. 2020-2021
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786; 442-
2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268
To summarize, the following are the basic trigonometric identities. These identities will be the backbone
of our lesson for this Module. Make sure you have a copy of this identities as we procced with the
different problems.
Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

1 1
sin = csc = sin
tan =
1 1
cos = sec sec = cos
cot =
1 1
sin
tan = cot =
Pythagorean Identities
2
+ 2=1 1 + cot2 = 2
tan2 + 1 = sec2
Even-Odd Identities
sin(− ) = − sin cos (− ) = cos tan(− ) = − tan
Note:
The angle can also be presented as x , y or other variables. For example, instead of writing tan , some books
use tan or tan . What is important is to keep your variables constant in writing your solutions. If given is tan
y, solution should use “y” to represent the angle all through out. Many students mix these variables, always
follow variable in the given.
A. Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

In simplifying trigonometric functions, use the basic trigonometric identities presented as a
summarized table above.
2 2
Example 1: Simplify + into a single trigonometric term
Solution Explanation
2 2
Given
+
The terms have a common denominator, simplify.

2 2
+
+ =
1 Use Pythagorean Identity:
2 2
+ =1
Use reciprocal identities:

sec 1
= sec
Example 2: Simplify into a function with the same trigonometric terms

2
Given
2
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Denominator can be factored:
2
= (cos ) (cos )
Simple factoring: = ×
tan Use quotient identity to substitute :
tan =
1 1
tan sec Rewrite to sec
Use reciprocal identity:

tan sec sec 1
= sec
tan 2 sec sec = 2
Use Pythagorean Identity:

2
tan ( + 1)
2 2
= +1
3
+ tan Simplify, all terms are now expressed in tan x.
One good thing about simplifying trigonometric expression is the varied possible solutions, but you still
arrive to the same final answer provided you use correct identities and algebraic processes. Here’s an
alternative solution for the example above, using different identities but arriving at the same answer.
Example 2 (Alternative solution)
Alternative Solution Explanation
Given
2
Factor out the denominator

sin sec ×
2
Use reciprocal identity:

1 1
sin sec sec

2
sec =
; sec2 = 2
cos cos
Substitute with sec2 .
Use reciprocal identity to replace sec x:

1
1
sec =
2
sin ( + 1)
Use Pythagorean Identity to replace 2

:
2 2
= +1
sin 1
( 2
+ 1)
Simplify sin
Use quotient identity:

2
tan ( + 1)
sin
tan =
3
+ tan Simplify, all terms are now expressed in tan x.
Example 3: Simplify cos + sin tan into a single trigonometric term
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cos + sin tan Given

cos + sin tan =
2 2
cos + sin = 1
× = cos y +
2 2
22
cos + =
+
+ 1
LCD :
2 2
+ +
+ =
2 2
1 Use Pythagorean Identity: + =1
sec Use reciprocal identity: = sec
Example 4: Simplify tan cos sin
tan cos sin Given
cos sin
tan =
sin sin sin
cos sin = × 1 × 1
2
Simplify
Example 5: Express sec cos to a number or one trigonometric function
sec cos Given
1
Use reciprocal identity: = sec
× =
1
1 Simplify
2
Example 6: Express 1 + tan to a number or one trigonometric function
1 + tan
2
Given
sec
2
tan2 + 1 = sec2
Since addition is commutative,

2 2
1 + tan = sec
Example 7: Express sin tan cot csc to a number or one trigonometric function
sin tan cot csc Given
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tan =

1
sin × × ×
cot =
Use reciprocal identity: = csc
sin 1
1 1 × × ×
sec2 −1
Example 8: Express to a number or one trigonometric function
sec 2
sec − 1
2
Given
2
sec
tan2 tan2 + 1 = sec2
2 2 2
sec (tan + 1) − 1 = sec − 1
tan2 = sec2 − 1
2
tan 1
sec
2 = tan2 × sec
2
sin 2
1
2
×
2
cos sec
2
sin
tan = ; tan2 =
cos2
sin2 Use reciprocal identity:

× cos2
2
cos
1 1
= cos ; = cos2
sec sec2
2
sin
2 2 2
sin cos sin
× = 2
= sin
cos2 1 1
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Try these:
(refer to lecture video to check if your processes/answers are correct)
Simplify sec − tan into a single trigonometric expression.
sec − tan Given
Use the reciprocal identity of sec and the quotient
identity for tan , then simplify.
With common denominators, combine the minuend

and subtrahend into one fraction bar
Use the Pythagorean identity for the numerator:

2 2
+ =1
2 2
=1−
cos cos
Factor numerator and simplify

cos
cos Final answer

2
sec
Simplify sec2 −1 into a single trigonometric expression.
sec2
Given
2
sec − 1
Use Pythagorean identity to substitute the

denominator.
Use reciprocal identity for numerator, and quotient

identity for denominator.
Simplify
2
csc
Use reciprocal identity. Final answer.

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Name: ___________________________________________ Section: _____________________
DIRECTION: Simplify the following expressions. SHOW COMPLETE SOLUTION. No need for
explanation similar to the 2nd column of the examples presented in this module. (5 items, 30 points)
1. Express tan x + cot x as a product of sin

2
two trigonometric functions 2. Simplify to a single sec

2
−1
trigonometric function
Solution: Solution:
Final Answer: Final Answer:
sin
4. Simplify tan cos sin to a single
3. Simplify cos tan

to a number or a
trigonometric function
single trigonometric function
Solution: Solution:
2 2 2 2
csc (1−cos ) 6. Simplify cot + sin + cos (− )
5. Simplify
sin cos
Solution: Solution:

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MODULE 3 –Math Subject Teacher:
1 Additional References
Simplifying trigonometric functions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTIsF61_BYg
Simplifying trigonometric expressions.

https://www.ck12.org/trigonometry/simplifying-trigonometric-expressions/
lesson/Simplifying-Trigonometric-Expressions-ALG-II/
References
Leithold, L. (2002).College Algebra and Trigonometry. Reprinted by Pearson Education
Asia Pte Ltd. Original American Edition published by Addison-Wesley Publishing
Company, Inc.
Precalculus Teaching Guide for Senior High School. (2016). Licensed under a Creative
Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Published by
the Commision on Higher Education.
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Precalculus 2nd Trimester, S.Y.

Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

II. Lesson Proper

Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

sin = csc = sin

cos = sec sec = cos

If P(x, y) is the terminal point on the unit circle corresponding to θ, then x2 + y2 = 1.

Since sin θ = y and cos θ = x, we get 2 2

Reciprocal Identities Quotient Identities

sin = csc = sin

cos = sec sec = cos

A. Simplifying Trigonometric Expressions

Example 1: Simplify + into a single trigonometric term

The terms have a common denominator, simplify.

1 Use Pythagorean Identity:

Use reciprocal identities:

Example 2: Simplify into a function with the same trigonometric terms

Denominator can be factored:

tan Use quotient identity to substitute :

tan sec Rewrite to sec

Use reciprocal identity:

tan 2 sec sec = 2

Use Pythagorean Identity:

Alternative Solution Explanation

Factor out the denominator

Use reciprocal identity:

sin sec sec

Substitute with sec2 .

Use reciprocal identity to replace sec x:

Use Pythagorean Identity to replace 2

Use quotient identity:

cos + sin tan Given

cos + sin tan =

sec Use reciprocal identity: = sec

Example 4: Simplify tan cos sin

sin sin sin

Example 5: Express sec cos to a number or one trigonometric function

Use reciprocal identity: = sec

Since addition is commutative,

Use quotient identity:

Use quotient identity:

Use reciprocal identity: = csc

Use Pythagorean Identity:

tan2 tan2 + 1 = sec2

sin2 Use reciprocal identity:

sec − tan Given

Use the reciprocal identity of sec and the quotient

identity for tan , then simplify.

With common denominators, combine the minuend

Use the Pythagorean identity for the numerator:

Factor numerator and simplify

cos Final answer

Simplify sec2 −1 into a single trigonometric expression.

Use Pythagorean identity to substitute the

Use reciprocal identity for numerator, and quotient

Use reciprocal identity. Final answer.

Name: ___________________________________________ Section: _____________________

1. Express tan x + cot x as a product of sin

Name: _______________________ Section: _