Chapter 5: Problem 40
Verify the identities. $$ \cot \left(\frac{A}{2}\right)-\tan \left(\frac{A}{2}\right)=2 \cot A $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The identity is verified; both sides simplify to \( 2 \cot A \).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Trigonometric Identities
We need to verify the identity: \( \cot \left(\frac{A}{2}\right)-\tan \left(\frac{A}{2}\right)=2 \cot A \). Recall that \( \cot\theta = \frac{\cos\theta}{\sin\theta} \) and \( \tan\theta = \frac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta} \). Also, consider the identity \( \tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 - \cos A}{\sin A} \) and \( \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 + \cos A}{\sin A} \). This information is the basis for starting our proof.
02
Express \( \cot \left(\frac{A}{2}\right) \) and \( \tan \left(\frac{A}{2}\right) \) in Terms of A
Using the half-angle identities for tangent and cotangent, we can express:- \( \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 + \cos A}{\sin A} \)- \( \tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 - \cos A}{\sin A} \)Substitute these expressions into the left side of the given identity.
03
Simplify the Expression
Substitute the expressions from Step 2 into the identity:\[ \frac{1 + \cos A}{\sin A} - \frac{1 - \cos A}{\sin A} \]Combine the fractions:\[ \frac{(1 + \cos A) - (1 - \cos A)}{\sin A} = \frac{2\cos A}{\sin A} \].This simplifies to \( 2 \cot A \) since \( \cot A = \frac{\cos A}{\sin A} \).
04
Verify the Identity
We find that the expression \( \frac{2\cos A}{\sin A} \) indeed simplifies to \( 2 \cot A \), which matches the right side of the original identity. Therefore, the given identity is verified.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Half-Angle Formulas
Half-angle formulas are essential in trigonometry. They allow us to express trigonometric functions of half-angles in terms of functions of the whole angle. These formulas are especially useful when simplifying expressions and working on proofs. For the angle \( \frac{A}{2} \), the half-angle formulas are given by:
- \( \tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 - \cos A}{\sin A} \)
- \( \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 + \cos A}{\sin A} \)
Cotangent
Cotangent is one of the six fundamental trigonometric functions. It is the reciprocal of the tangent function. Mathematically, for an angle \( \theta \), it is expressed as:
- \( \cot \theta = \frac{1}{\tan \theta} = \frac{\cos \theta}{\sin \theta} \)
Tangent
Tangent is another primary trigonometric function, defined for an angle \( \theta \) as:
- \( \tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} \)
Proof Verification
Proof verification is a structured process of confirming the truth of a mathematical statement, in this case, a trigonometric identity. The primary goal is to show that both sides of an equation are equivalent.For this exercise, we started with the identity:\[ \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) - \tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = 2\cot A \]By substituting the half-angle formulas for cotangent and tangent, follow through:
- Substitute: \( \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 + \cos A}{\sin A} \) and \( \tan\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) = \frac{1 - \cos A}{\sin A} \).
- Combine fractions to simplify: \( \frac{(1 + \cos A) - (1 - \cos A)}{\sin A} \) becomes \( \frac{2\cos A}{\sin A} \).
- Recognize: \( \frac{2\cos A}{\sin A} = 2\cot A \).