A-Level Maths:

Core 3
for Edexcel

C3.4 Trigonometry 2

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Contents The addition formulae

The addition formulae

The double angle formulae
Expressions of the form a sin θ + b cos θ
Examination-style questions

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The addition formulae

In trigonometry we often have to solve problems involving

compound angles. For example,
sin( + 30 )
It is important to note that trigonometric functions are not
distributive over addition. In other words,
sin( + 30 ) sin + sin30
In fact, for two angles A and B,

sin( A + B ) sin A cos B + cos A sin B

This is known as one of the addition formulae (or compound

angle formulae) and it should be learnt.

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Proof of sin(A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B

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The addition formulae involving sin

To find an identity for sin(A – B) we can replace B in

sin( A + B ) sin A cos B + cos A sin B

by –B to give:
sin( A  B ) sin A cos(  B ) + cos A sin(  B )

Remember that
cos (–B) = cos B
and
sin (–B) = –sin B
So,
sin( A  B ) sin A cos B  cos A sin B
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Proof of cos(A + B) = cos A cos B – sin A sin B

To find the addition formula for cos(A + B) we can use the fact
that cos θ = sin(90 – θ), to give
cos( A + B ) = sin(90  ( A + B )
= sin((90  A)  B )
= sin(90  A)cos B  cos(90  A)sin B )
Using the fact that sin(90  A) = cos A

and
cos(90  A) = sin A

It follows that the addition formula for cos(A + B) is

cos( A + B ) cos A cos B  sin A sin B

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The addition formulae involving cos

To find an identity for cos(A – B) we can replace B in

cos( A + B ) cos A cos B  sin A sin B

by –B to give:
cos( A  B ) cos A cos(  B )  sin A sin(  B )

Using the fact that

cos (–B) = cos B
and
sin (–B) = –sin B,
we have:
cos( A  B ) cos A cos B + sin A sin B
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The addition formulae involving tan

Addition formulae involving tan can be derived from the

addition formulae involving sin and cos.
sin( A + B )
tan( A + B ) 
cos( A + B )

sin A cos B + cos A sin B


cos A cos B  sin A sin B

Dividing through by cos A cos B gives:

sin A cos B cos A sin B
+
tan( A + B )  cos A cos B cos A cos B
cos A cos B sin A sin B

cos A cos B cos A cos B

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The addition formulae involving tan

sin A sin B
+
tan( A + B )  cos A cos B
sin A sin B
1
cos A cos B

This can be written in terms of tan as:

tan A + tan B
tan( A + B ) 
1  tan A tan B

If we replace B by –B we get:

tan A  tan B
tan( A  B ) 
1+ tan A tan B

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Using the addition formulae

Use the identity for sin(A + B) to find the exact value of sin 75°.

We don’t know the exact value of 75° but we do know the sine
and cosine of 30° and 45°.
We can write sin 75° as sin (30° + 45°) to give
sin(30 + 45 ) = sin30 cos 45  + cos30  sin 45 
1 2 3 2
= × + ×
2 2 2 2
2+ 2 3
=
4

=

2 1+ 3 
4
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Using the addition formulae

Calculate the exact value of

tan 56  tan 2
1+ tan 56 tan 2

tan A  tan B
Using the identity tan( A  B ) 
1+ tan A tan B

tan 56  tan 2

= tan( 56  )
2
1+ tan 56 tan 2

= tan 3

= 3

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Using the addition formulae

Given that sin A = 31 and cos B = 54 , where A and B are acute,

find the exact value of cos (A + B).
cos( A + B ) cos A cos B  sin A sin B
We can find the value of cos A and sin B using Pythagoras:

sin A = 31 cos B = 54 5
3
1 ?
3
8 3
So cos A = 3 A So sin B =5 B
?8 4

8 4 1 3
Using these values, cos( A + B ) = ×  ×
3 5 3 5
4 8 3 8 2 3
=  =
15 15 15
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Using the addition formulae

Solve cos(45   ) = sin(30 +  ) for  180   180 

Using the addition formulae:

cos 45 cos  + sin 45 sin = sin30 cos  + cos30 sin 
2 2 1 3
cos + sin = cos + sin
2 2 2 2
2 cos + 2 sin = cos  + 3 sin

( 2 3 )sin = (1  2)cos 
sin 1 2
=
cos 2 3
1 2
tan =
2 3
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Using the addition formulae

Now, using a calculator,

1 2
 = tan 1
2 3
= 52.5°

Tan is positive in the first and third quadrants, so the second

solution in the required range is
52.5°
θ = –180° + 52.5° S A
= –127.5°
T C
So the solution set for –180° ≤ θ ≤ 180° is –127.5°

θ = –127.5°, 52.5°
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Contents The double angle formulae

The addition formulae

The double angle formulae
Expressions of the form a sin θ + b cos θ
Examination-style questions

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Double angle formulae

We can use the addition formulae to derive formulae involving

sin 2A, cos 2A and tan 2A.
Using the formula
sin( A + B ) sin A cos B + cos A sin B

where A is equal to B gives:

sin( A + A) sin A cos A + cos A sin A

sin2 A 2sin A cos A

This is the first double angle formula and it should be learnt.

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Double angle formulae

Using the addition formula

cos( A + B ) cos A cos B + sin A sin B
where A is equal to B gives:
cos( A + A) cos A cos A  sin A sin A

cos 2 A cos2 A  sin2 A

We can use the identity sin2A + cos2A = 1 to write this in two

more ways:
cos 2 A 2cos2 A  1

cos 2 A 1  2sin2 A

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Double angle formulae

Using the addition formula

tan A + tan B
tan( A + B ) 
1  tan A tan B

where A is equal to B gives:

tan A + tan A
tan( A + A) 
1  tan A tan A

2 tan A
tan2 A 
1  tan2 A

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Using double angle formulae to prove identities

We can use the double angle formulae to prove other identities

involving multiple angles. For example:
Use the compound and double angle formulae to prove that
cos3 4cos3   3cos
LHS = cos3
= cos( + 2 )
= cos cos2  sin sin2
= cos (2cos2   1)  2sin sin cos 
= 2cos3   cos  2sin2  cos 
= 2cos3   cos  2cos  (1  cos 2  )
= 2cos3   cos  2cos   2cos3 
= 4cos3   3cos = RHS
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Using double angle formulae to prove identities

Prove that sin2 x

tan x
1+ cos 2 x

sin2 x
LHS =
1  cos 2 x
2sin x cos x
=
1+ 2cos2 x  1
2sin x cos x
=
2cos2 x
sin x
=
cos x
= tan x = RHS

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Solving equations

We can also use the double angle formulae to solve equations

involving double angles. For example,
Solve cos  = 3cos 2 + 2 for 0  360

cos = 3(2cos2   1) + 2
cos = 6cos2   3 + 2
6cos2   cos  1= 0
(2cos  1)(3cos +1) = 0
cos  = 1 or cos  =  1
2 3
θ = 60°, 300° θ = 109.5°, 250.5°
The complete solution set is θ = 60°, 300°, 109.5°, 250.5°.

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Contents Expressions of the form a sin θ + b cos θ

The addition formulae

The double angle formulae
Expressions of the form a sin θ + b cos θ
Examination-style questions

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Functions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ

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Expressions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ

As we have seen, the graph of f(θ) = a cos θ + b sin θ can be

obtained by stretching a sine or cosine curve vertically and
translating it horizontally.
Expressions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ can therefore be
expressed in the form R cos (θ ± α) or R sin (θ ± α).
Suppose we want to express a cos θ + b sin θ in terms of cos
only.
If we divide and multiply a cos θ + b sin θ by a 2 + b2
we have
 a b 
a cos + b sin = a + b 
2 2
cos  + sin 
2 2 2 2
 a +b a +b 

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Expressions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ
a
Let cos  =
a 2  b2
Now, using a right-angled triangle containing the acute angle α
we have:

a 2 + b2 b b
b sin = and tan  =
a 2  b2 a
α
a

 a b 
So a cos + b sin = a + b  2 2 cos + 2 2 sin 
2 2

 a +b a +b 

= a 2 + b2 cos  cos + sin  sin 

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Expressions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ

But cos α cos θ + sin α sin θ = cos(θ – α), so:

a cos + b sin = a 2 + b 2 cos(   )
= R cos(θ – α)
where R = a 2 + b 2 and α = tan–1 ba .

Now use the following right-angled triangle to show that

a cos θ + b sin θ can be written in the form R sin(θ + α)
a
where R = a 2 + b 2 and α = tan–1 b.

a 2 + b2 b

α
a

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Expressions of the form a cos θ + b sin θ

In general, for positive values of a, b and R and 0 < α < 90°, it

can be shown that:

a cos θ + b sin θ = R cos (θ – α) where R = a 2 + b 2

and
a cos θ – b sin θ = R cos (θ + α) and  = tan 1 ba

and

a cos θ + b sin θ = R sin (θ + α) where R = a 2 + b 2

and
a cos θ – b sin θ = R sin (θ – α) and  = tan 1 ba

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Equations of the form a cos θ + b sin θ = c

Express 3 cos θ + 4 sin θ in the form R cos (θ – α).

Start by writing this as an identity:

3cos + 4 sin  R cos(   )

Using the addition formula for cos(A – B) gives:

3cos  + 4 sin  R cos  cos  + R sin sin 
Equating the coefficients of cos θ and sin θ :
3
3 = R cos   cos  =
R
4
4 = R sin   sin =
R
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Equations of the form a cos θ + b sin θ = c

Using the following right-angled triangle:

R = 32 + 42 = 5
R
4  = tan 1 34

α
= 53.1 (to 3 s.f.)
3

So, using these values:

3 cos θ + 4 sin θ = 5 cos (θ – 53.1°)

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Equations of the form a cos θ + b sin θ = c

a) Express 5 cos θ – 12 sin θ in the form R sin(θ – α).

b) Solve the equation 5 cos θ – 12 sin θ = 8 in the
interval 0 < θ < 360°.

a) 5cos  12sin  R sin(   )

Using the addition formula for sin(θ – α) gives:
5cos  12sin  R sin cos   R cos sin 
Equating the coefficients of cos θ and sin θ :
5
5 = R sin   sin =
R
12
12 = R cos   cos  =
R
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Equations of the form a cos θ + b sin θ = c

Using the following right-angled triangle:

R = 52 +122 = 13
R
5 5
 = tan 1 12
α
12 = 22.6 (to 3 s.f.)

So, using these values

5 cos θ – 12 sin θ = 13 sin (θ – 22.6°)

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Equations of the form a cos θ + b sin θ = c

b) Using the form found in part a) we can write the equation

5 cos θ – 12 sin θ = 8 as
13 sin(  22.6 ) = 8
8
sin(  22.6 ) = 13

(Using a calculator set to degrees:)

8 = 38.0 (to 3 s.f.)
sin 1 13
This is the solution
So in the 2nd quadrant.
θ – 22.6° = 38.0° or 142°

θ = 60.6° or 164.6° (to 3 s.f.)

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Contents Examination-style questions

The addition formulae

The double angle formulae
Expressions of the form a sin θ + b cos θ
Examination-style questions

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Examination-style question 1

The function f is defined by

f ( x ) = 4cos(60 + x )  cos x
a) Show that when f(x) = 0, cos x = 2 3 sin x .
b) Hence solve f(x) = 0 in the interval –180° < x < 180°.
a) 4cos(60 + x )  cos x = 0
4cos 60 cos x  4 sin 60 sin x  cos x = 0

  
4 21 cos x  4 23 sin x  cos x = 0

2cos x  2 3 sin x  cos x = 0

cos x  2 3 sin x = 0
cos x = 2 3 sin x

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Examination-style question 1

b) When f(x) = 0, cos x = 2 3 sin x

Dividing through by cos x gives:

1= 2 3 tan x
tan x = 1
2 3
(Using a calculator set to degrees:)
tan 1 1 = 16.1 (to 3 s.f.)
2 3
In the interval –180° < x < 180°:

S A
16.1°
x = 16.1° or –164° (to 3 s.f.)
–163.9°
T C

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Examination-style question 2

a) Express 2 sin 2θ + 3 cos 2θ in the form R cos (2θ – α),

where R > 0 and 0 < α < 90.
b) Use the double angle formulae to express
4 sin θ cos θ + 6 cos2 θ in the form a cos 2θ + b sin 2θ + c
where a, b and c are constants to be determined.
c) Use your answer to part a) to find the maximum value of
4 sin θ cos θ + 6 cos2 θ and find the smallest positive value
of θ at which it occurs.

a) 2sin2 + 3cos 2  R cos(2   )

Using the addition formula for cos(2θ – α) gives:

2sin2 + 3cos2  R cos2 cos  + R sin2 sin 

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Examination-style question 2

Equating the coefficients of cos θ and sin θ :

2 = R sin   sin  = 2
R
3 = R cos   cos  = R3
Using the following right-angled triangle:
R = 22 + 32 = 13
R
2  = tan 1 32
α = 33.7 (to 3 s.f.)
3

So, as required
2sin2 + 3cos 2  13 cos(2  33.7 )
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Examination-style question 2

b) We can write 4 sin cos + 6cos2  as:

2(2sin cos ) + 3(2cos2  )

Using the double angle formulae, sin2 = 2sin cos 

we can write this as: cos 2 = 2cos2   1
2sin2 + 3(cos 2 +1)
2sin2 + 3(cos 2 +1) = 2sin2 + 3cos 2 + 3

 4 sin cos  + 6cos2  2sin2 + 3cos 2 + 3

c) Using the answer to part a) we can write:

2sin2 + 3cos 2 + 3  13 cos(2  33.7 ) + 3

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Examination-style question 2

Therefore, 4 sin cos  + 6cos2   13 cos(2  33.7 ) + 3

This reaches its maximum value when

cos(2  33.7 ) = 1

Therefore the maximum value of 4 sin cos + 6cos2  is

13 + 3 = 6.61 (to 3 s.f.)

The smallest positive value of θ at which this maximum occurs

is given when
2  33.7 = 0
2 = 33.7
 = 16.8 (to 3 s.f.)
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