The Double Angle Formula for Sine

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 129 views

Introduction

In mathematics, trigonometric identities are essential tools for solving problems in various fields, including physics, engineering, and navigation. One of the fundamental identities in trigonometry is the double angle formula for sine, which relates the sine of an angle to the cosine of the same angle. In this article, we will explore the double angle formula for sine and determine whether the statement $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ is true or false for all values of $a$ .

The Double Angle Formula for Sine

The double angle formula for sine states that $\sin 2\theta = 2\sin \theta \cos \theta$ . However, in this case, we are interested in the formula $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ . To understand this formula, let's start by examining the right-hand side of the equation.

Derivation of the Formula

We can derive the formula by using the half-angle formula for cosine, which states that $\cos \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1+\cos a}{2}}$ . By squaring both sides of this equation, we get:

\cos^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \frac{1+\cos a}{2}

Now, we can use the Pythagorean identity $\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1$ to rewrite the equation as:

\sin^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = 1 - \cos^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = 1 - \frac{1+\cos a}{2} = \frac{1-\cos a}{2}

Taking the square root of both sides, we get:

\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}

Analysis of the Formula

The derived formula $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ is valid for all values of $a$ in the range $[0, 2\pi]$ . However, we need to consider the case where $a$ is an odd multiple of $\pi$ , i.e., $a = (2k+1)\pi$ , where $k$ is an integer.

In this case, the formula $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ becomes:

\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos ((2k+1)\pi)}{2}}

Since $\cos ((2k+1)\pi) = -1$ , we have:

\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-(-1)}{2}} = \pm \sqrt{1} = \pm 1

However, we know that $\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm 1$ is not true for all values of $k$ . Therefore, the formula $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ is not valid for all values of $a$ .

Conclusion

In conclusion, the statement $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ is not true for all values of $a$ . The formula is valid for all values of $a$ in the range $[0, 2\pi]$ except for odd multiples of $\pi$ . Therefore, the correct answer is:

B. False

References

[1] "Trigonometry" by I. M. Gelfand and M. L. Gelfand
[2] "Calculus" by Michael Spivak
[3] "Trigonometric Identities" by Wolfram MathWorld

Additional Resources

[1] Khan Academy: Trigonometry
[2] MIT OpenCourseWare: Calculus
[3] Wolfram Alpha: Trigonometric Identities
Frequently Asked Questions: The Double Angle Formula for Sine ===========================================================

Q: What is the double angle formula for sine?

A: The double angle formula for sine states that $\sin 2\theta = 2\sin \theta \cos \theta$ . However, in this article, we are interested in the formula $\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right)= \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}$ .

Q: How is the formula derived?

A: The formula is derived by using the half-angle formula for cosine, which states that $\cos \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1+\cos a}{2}}$ . By squaring both sides of this equation, we get:

\cos^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \frac{1+\cos a}{2}

Now, we can use the Pythagorean identity $\sin^2 \theta + \cos^2 \theta = 1$ to rewrite the equation as:

\sin^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = 1 - \cos^2 \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = 1 - \frac{1+\cos a}{2} = \frac{1-\cos a}{2}

Taking the square root of both sides, we get:

\sin \left(\frac{a}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos a}{2}}

Q: Is the formula valid for all values of $a$ ?

A: The formula is valid for all values of $a$ in the range $[0, 2\pi]$ except for odd multiples of $\pi$ . For example, if $a = (2k+1)\pi$ , where $k$ is an integer, the formula becomes:

\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-\cos ((2k+1)\pi)}{2}}

Since $\cos ((2k+1)\pi) = -1$ , we have:

\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1-(-1)}{2}} = \pm \sqrt{1} = \pm 1

However, we know that $\sin \left(\frac{(2k+1)\pi}{2}\right) = \pm 1$ is not true for all values of $k$ . Therefore, the formula is not valid for all values of $a$ .

Q: What are some common applications of the double angle formula for sine?

A: The double angle formula for sine has many applications in mathematics and physics. Some common applications include:

Trigonometry: The double angle formula for sine is used to solve trigonometric equations and to find the values of sine and cosine of angles.
Calculus: The double angle formula for sine is used to find the derivatives of trigonometric functions and to solve optimization problems.
Physics: The double angle formula for sine is used to describe the motion of objects in terms of their position, velocity, and acceleration.

Q: How can I use the double angle formula for sine in real-world problems?

A: The double angle formula for sine can be used in a variety of real-world problems, including:

Navigation: The double angle formula for sine can be used to find the position of an object on the surface of the Earth, given its latitude and longitude.
Engineering: The double angle formula for sine can be used to design and optimize systems that involve periodic motion, such as gears and pendulums.
Computer Science: The double angle formula for sine can be used to develop algorithms for solving trigonometric equations and for finding the values of sine and cosine of angles.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the double angle formula for sine?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when using the double angle formula for sine include:

Not checking the domain of the formula: The double angle formula for sine is only valid for certain values of $a$ . Make sure to check the domain of the formula before using it.
Not using the correct sign: The double angle formula for sine has two possible signs, depending on the value of $a$ . Make sure to use the correct sign when using the formula.
Not simplifying the formula: The double angle formula for sine can be simplified in certain cases. Make sure to simplify the formula before using it.