t-formula in trigonometry

 

                   The t-formula can change trigonometric functions into half-angles and may be                        described as follows:

 

           Let

                                    ,

           then

                          

                   The t-formula is very helpful in solving trigonometric equations by changing them to algebraic equations in t. The t-formula can also be employed to find the maximum and minimum of certain trigonometric functions. Certain integrals can be evaluated by t-formula.

 

           This small article shows some proofs of t-formula.

 

 

             Method 1

                        

 

                        

 

                        

 

 

             Method 2

 

               Draw a right angled triangle:

               Since

 

 

 

 

 

 

               The hypotenuse AC can be calculated using Pythagoras Theorem.

 

               Then reading from the triangle, we get:

 

                                  

                                  

                          

 

 

             Method 3

                          

               Draw a right angled triangle,

 

 

 

 

 

 

               The hypotenuse AC can be found using

               Pythagoras theorem:

 

                                  

 

                                  

                                  

 

               Reading from the triangle, we can get:

 

                                  

                                  

 

 

             Exercise

 

               Can you prove the t-formula using the following diagram: