Chapter 10: Problem 92
Verify that equation is an identity. \(\left(1-\cos ^{2} \alpha\right)\left(1+\cos ^{2} \alpha\right)=2 \sin ^{2} \alpha-\sin ^{4} \alpha\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation is an identity.
Step by step solution
01
Expand the Left Side
Expand the expression on the left side of the equation: \[ (1 - \cos^2 \alpha)(1 + \cos^2 \alpha) \] Using the difference of squares formula: \[ a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b) \] Letting \(a = 1\) and \(b = \cos^2 \alpha\), we find: \[ 1^2 - (\cos^2 \alpha)^2 = 1 - \cos^4 \alpha \]
02
Transform Using Trigonometric Identity
Recognize that \(1 - \cos^2 \alpha = \sin^2 \alpha\) based on the Pythagorean identity. So, we continue: \[ 1 - \cos^4 \alpha = (1 - \cos^2 \alpha)(1 + \cos^2 \alpha) \] Substitute \(\sin^2 \alpha\) for \(1 - \cos^2 \alpha\): \[ 1 - \cos^4 \alpha = \sin^2 \alpha \cdot (1 + \cos^2 \alpha) \]
03
Expand Using the Inner Term
Expand \(\sin^2 \alpha \cdot (1 + \cos^2 \alpha)\):\[ \sin^2 \alpha \cdot 1 + \sin^2 \alpha \cdot \cos^2 \alpha = \sin^2 \alpha + \sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha \]
04
Simplify and Compare
Notice that \(\sin^4 \alpha = (\sin^2 \alpha)^2\), so:\[ \sin^2 \alpha + \sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha = \sin^2 \alpha(1 + \cos^2 \alpha) = 2 \sin^2 \alpha - (\sin^2 \alpha)^2 \]Hence:\[ 1 - \cos^4 \alpha \equiv 2 \sin^2 \alpha - \sin^4 \alpha \] This establishes that both sides are identical.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Difference of Squares
The concept of the difference of squares is a foundational algebraic identity. It states that the difference between the squares of two terms, \( a^2 - b^2 \), can be expressed as the product of a sum and a difference: \((a + b)(a - b)\). This identity is useful in simplifying expressions and solving equations.
- In our problem, the expression \((1 - \cos^2 \alpha)(1 + \cos^2 \alpha)\) is an example of the difference of squares, where \(a = 1\) and \(b = \cos^2 \alpha\).
- Applying the identity, we find \(1^2 - (\cos^2 \alpha)^2 = 1 - \cos^4 \alpha\).
- This simplification is crucial because it enables us to transform and compare the expression more easily with the given identity.
Pythagorean Identity
The Pythagorean identity is a fundamental trigonometric identity which states \(\sin^2 \alpha + \cos^2 \alpha = 1\). This identity is pivotal in trigonometry because it connects sine and cosine, allowing one to be expressed in terms of the other.
- In this problem, we use a rearranged form of the Pythagorean identity: \(1 - \cos^2 \alpha = \sin^2 \alpha\). This substitution is key to simplifying our expression.
- By replacing \(1 - \cos^2 \alpha\) with \(\sin^2 \alpha\), we make it easier to manipulate and evaluate the trigonometric expressions involved.
- Understanding and applying the Pythagorean identity can simplify many problems in trigonometry, making it easier to solve or verify complex equations.
Expanding Expressions
Expanding expressions involves distributing terms within a parenthesis and combining like terms to simplify or transform equations. This technique is extremely common in algebra and calculus.
- When we expand \(\sin^2 \alpha \cdot (1 + \cos^2 \alpha)\), we multiply each term in the parenthesis by \(\sin^2 \alpha\). The result is \( \sin^2 \alpha + \sin^2 \alpha \cos^2 \alpha\).
- Further simplifying the expression involves recognizing that \(\sin^4 \alpha\) is \((\sin^2 \alpha)^2\), leading us to \(2 \sin^2 \alpha - \sin^4 \alpha\).
- Breaking things down in steps, as we've done here, is crucial for comparing it to the original identity to verify that both sides of the equation are equivalent.