Trig. Identity: 8sin^2(x/2)cos^2(x/2)=1-cos2x

rebmik

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Oct 26, 2006
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If anyone can point me in the right direction verifying this idenity I would really appreciate it. I am at a total loss.

8sin^2(x/2)cos^2(x/2)=1-cos2x

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Re: Help -- Trouble w/ Trig. Identities

Hello, rebmik!

You're expected to be familiar with these identities:

. . \(\displaystyle 2\sin\theta\cos\theta\:=\:\sin2\theta \;\;\;\;\sin^2\theta\:=\:\frac{1\,-\,\cos2\theta}{2}\)


\(\displaystyle 8\sin^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\cos^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\;=\;1\,-\,\cos2x\)

We have: \(\displaystyle \:8\sin^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\cos^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\)

. . . . . \(\displaystyle = \;2\left[4\sin^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\cos^2\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\right]\)

. . . . . \(\displaystyle = \;2\underbrace{\left[\sin\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\cos\left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\right]}^2\)

. . . . . \(\displaystyle = \;\;\;\;\;2\overbrace{\left(\sin x\right)}\)\(\displaystyle ^2\)

We have: \(\displaystyle \:2\cdot\underbrace{\sin^2x}\)

. . . . .\(\displaystyle = \;2\overbrace{\left(\frac{1\,-\,\cos2x}{2}\right)}\)

. . . . .\(\displaystyle = \;1\,-\,\cos2x\)

 
Hi Soroban,

Thank you soooo much. I am familiar with those identities unfortunately, it just wasn't coming to me.

You make it look so easy!!!

Thanks again!
 
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