Chapter 6: Problem 21
Verify the identity. \(\sin ^{4} t=\frac{3}{8}-\frac{1}{2} \cos 2 t+\frac{1}{8} \cos 4 t\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The identity is verified: both sides simplify to \( \frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{2} \cos 2t + \frac{1}{8} \cos 4t \).
Step by step solution
01
Express \( \sin^4 t \) in Terms of Cosines
We start by expressing \( \sin^2 t \) using the double-angle identity: \( \sin^2 t = \frac{1 - \cos 2t}{2} \). Then, square this expression to obtain \( \sin^4 t \):\[\sin^4 t = \left( \frac{1 - \cos 2t}{2} \right)^2 = \frac{(1 - \cos 2t)^2}{4}.\]
02
Expand the Squared Expression
Expand \((1 - \cos 2t)^2\) to simplify it.\[(1 - \cos 2t)^2 = 1 - 2\cos 2t + \cos^2 2t.\]So,\[\sin^4 t = \frac{1 - 2\cos 2t + \cos^2 2t}{4}.\]
03
Use the Double-Angle Identity for \( \cos^2 2t \)
Use the identity \( \cos^2 A = \frac{1 + \cos 2A}{2} \) with \( A = 2t \) to express \( \cos^2 2t \):\[\cos^2 2t = \frac{1 + \cos 4t}{2}.\]
04
Substitute and Simplify
Substitute \( \cos^2 2t = \frac{1 + \cos 4t}{2} \) back into the equation:\[\sin^4 t = \frac{1 - 2\cos 2t + \frac{1 + \cos 4t}{2}}{4}.\]Simplify the expression:\[\sin^4 t = \frac{1 - 2\cos 2t + \frac{1}{2} + \frac{\cos 4t}{2}}{4} = \frac{3}{8} - \frac{1}{2}\cos 2t + \frac{1}{8}\cos 4t.\]
05
Conclude the Verification
Since we have successfully transformed \( \sin^4 t \) to match the right side of the given equation, we have verified that the identity is indeed correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Double-Angle Identities
The double-angle identities are powerful tools in trigonometry, useful for simplifying expressions and solving equations. The most common forms are for sine and cosine:
- For sine: \( \sin 2\theta = 2 \sin \theta \cos \theta \)
- For cosine: \( \cos 2\theta = \cos^2 \theta - \sin^2 \theta \)
- Alternatively for cosine: \( \cos 2\theta = 2\cos^2 \theta - 1 \)
- And: \( \cos 2\theta = 1 - 2\sin^2 \theta \)
Trigonometric Functions Basics
Trigonometric functions like sine, cosine, and tangent are foundational elements in mathematics, particularly used to relate angles to side lengths in right-angled triangles. These functions also extend to periodic waveforms useful in modeling cyclical phenomena:
- \( \sin \theta \) relates the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the hypotenuse.
- \( \cos \theta \) relates the adjacent side to the hypotenuse.
- Both functions are periodic, with periods decreasing as functions' argument angles increase.
Verification of Trigonometric Identities
Verification of identities involves proving that two expressions are equivalent. This is a crucial part of trigonometry as it allows mathematicians to build more complex theories on solid foundational truths. To verify a trigonometric identity:
- Simplify one or both sides of the equation, typically using algebraic manipulation and known identities.
- Use strategic substitutions and transformations to create easier-to-work-with forms. For example, our exercise uses square transformations and double-angle identities to simplify the given equation for sine.
- Conclude by showing each step achieves equivalency with the given target equation.