Not using the correct identity

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 64 views

Introduction

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that deals with the relationships between the sides and angles of triangles. It is a fundamental subject that has numerous applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, and navigation. In this article, we will focus on simplifying trigonometric expressions, specifically the expression given in problem 3.1.

Problem 3.1

The given expression is:

\frac{\tan (180^{\circ} + x) \cdot \cos (360^{\circ} - x)}{\sin (180^{\circ} - x) \cdot \cos (90^{\circ} + x) + \cos (540^{\circ} + x) \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)}

Our goal is to simplify this expression to a single trigonometric ratio.

Step 1: Simplify the Numerator

To simplify the numerator, we will use the trigonometric identity for tangent:

\tan (A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B}

Applying this identity to the numerator, we get:

\tan (180^{\circ} + x) = \frac{\tan 180^{\circ} + \tan x}{1 - \tan 180^{\circ} \tan x}

Since $\tan 180^{\circ} = 0$ , the numerator simplifies to:

\tan (180^{\circ} + x) = \tan x

Now, we will simplify the second term in the numerator:

\cos (360^{\circ} - x) = \cos x

Therefore, the numerator becomes:

\tan x \cdot \cos x

Step 2: Simplify the Denominator

To simplify the denominator, we will use the trigonometric identity for sine and cosine:

\sin (A + B) = \sin A \cos B + \cos A \sin B

\cos (A + B) = \cos A \cos B - \sin A \sin B

Applying these identities to the denominator, we get:

\sin (180^{\circ} - x) \cdot \cos (90^{\circ} + x) + \cos (540^{\circ} + x) \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)

= \sin 180^{\circ} \cos (90^{\circ} + x) + \cos 180^{\circ} \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \cos (540^{\circ} + x) \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)

Since $\sin 180^{\circ} = 0$ and $\cos 180^{\circ} = -1$ , the denominator simplifies to:

- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \cos (540^{\circ} + x) \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)

Now, we will simplify the second term in the denominator:

\cos (540^{\circ} + x) = \cos x

Therefore, the denominator becomes:

- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \cos x \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)

Step 3: Simplify the Expression

Now that we have simplified the numerator and denominator, we can simplify the expression:

\frac{\tan x \cdot \cos x}{- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \cos x \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)}

To simplify this expression, we will use the trigonometric identity for sine and cosine:

\sin (A + B) = \sin A \cos B + \cos A \sin B

Applying this identity to the denominator, we get:

- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \cos x \cdot \sin (90^{\circ} - x)

= - \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \sin (90^{\circ} - x) \cos x

= - \sin (90^{\circ} - x) + \sin (90^{\circ} - x) \cos x

= - \sin (90^{\circ} - x) (1 - \cos x)

Therefore, the expression simplifies to:

\frac{\tan x \cdot \cos x}{- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) (1 - \cos x)}

Step 4: Final Simplification

To simplify this expression further, we will use the trigonometric identity for tangent:

\tan A = \frac{\sin A}{\cos A}

Applying this identity to the numerator, we get:

\tan x \cdot \cos x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} \cdot \cos x

= \sin x

Therefore, the expression simplifies to:

\frac{\sin x}{- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) (1 - \cos x)}

Conclusion

In this article, we simplified the given trigonometric expression to a single trigonometric ratio. We used various trigonometric identities to simplify the numerator and denominator, and finally, we arrived at the simplified expression. This expression can be further simplified using the trigonometric identity for sine and cosine.

Final Answer

The final answer is:

\frac{\sin x}{- \sin (90^{\circ} - x) (1 - \cos x)}

Note

Introduction

In our previous article, we simplified a given trigonometric expression to a single trigonometric ratio. In this article, we will provide a Q&A guide to help you understand the concepts and techniques used in simplifying trigonometric expressions.

Q: What are the common trigonometric identities used in simplifying expressions?

A: The common trigonometric identities used in simplifying expressions are:

Tangent identity: $\tan A = \frac{\sin A}{\cos A}$
Sine and cosine identity: $\sin (A + B) = \sin A \cos B + \cos A \sin B$
Cosine identity: $\cos (A + B) = \cos A \cos B - \sin A \sin B$

Q: How do I simplify a trigonometric expression using the tangent identity?

A: To simplify a trigonometric expression using the tangent identity, you need to rewrite the expression in terms of sine and cosine. Then, use the tangent identity to simplify the expression.

Q: What is the difference between the sine and cosine identities?

A: The sine and cosine identities are used to simplify expressions involving sine and cosine functions. The sine identity is used to simplify expressions involving sine functions, while the cosine identity is used to simplify expressions involving cosine functions.

Q: How do I simplify a trigonometric expression using the sine and cosine identity?

A: To simplify a trigonometric expression using the sine and cosine identity, you need to rewrite the expression in terms of sine and cosine. Then, use the sine and cosine identity to simplify the expression.

Q: What is the purpose of simplifying trigonometric expressions?

A: The purpose of simplifying trigonometric expressions is to make them easier to work with and to reduce the complexity of the expression. Simplifying trigonometric expressions can also help you to identify patterns and relationships between different trigonometric functions.

Q: How do I know when to use the tangent identity versus the sine and cosine identity?

A: To determine which identity to use, you need to examine the expression and identify the trigonometric functions involved. If the expression involves tangent, use the tangent identity. If the expression involves sine and cosine, use the sine and cosine identity.

Q: Can I simplify a trigonometric expression using a combination of identities?

A: Yes, you can simplify a trigonometric expression using a combination of identities. In fact, this is often the most efficient way to simplify an expression.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying trigonometric expressions?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when simplifying trigonometric expressions include:

Not using the correct identity: Make sure to use the correct identity for the trigonometric function involved.
Not simplifying the expression fully: Make sure to simplify the expression fully, rather than leaving it in a partially simplified form.
Not checking for errors: Make sure to check your work for errors, rather than relying on intuition or guesswork.

Conclusion

In this article, we provided a Q&A guide to help you understand the concepts and techniques used in simplifying trigonometric expressions. We covered common trigonometric identities, how to simplify expressions using these identities, and common mistakes to avoid. By following these guidelines, you can simplify trigonometric expressions with confidence and accuracy.

Final Tips

Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice simplifying trigonometric expressions, the more comfortable you will become with the techniques and identities involved.
Use a calculator or computer algebra system: If you are struggling to simplify an expression, consider using a calculator or computer algebra system to help you.
Check your work: Always check your work for errors, rather than relying on intuition or guesswork.