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There are several equivalent ways for defining trigonometric functions, and the proofs of the trigonometric identities between them depend on the chosen definition. The oldest and most elementary definitions are based on the geometry of right triangles and the ratio between their sides.
These identities are useful whenever expressions involving trigonometric functions need to be simplified. An important application is the integration of non-trigonometric functions: a common technique involves first using the substitution rule with a trigonometric function, and then simplifying the resulting integral with a trigonometric identity.
The original proof is based on the Taylor series expansions of the exponential function e z (where z is a complex number) and of sin x and cos x for real numbers x . In fact, the same proof shows that Euler's formula is even valid for all complex numbers x.
Alternatively, the identities found at Trigonometric symmetry, shifts, and periodicity may be employed. By the periodicity identities we can say if the formula is true for −π < θ ≤ π then it is true for all real θ. Next we prove the identity in the range π / 2 < θ ≤ π.
The identities of logarithms can be used to approximate large numbers. Note that log b ( a ) + log b ( c ) = log b ( ac ) , where a , b , and c are arbitrary constants. Suppose that one wants to approximate the 44th Mersenne prime , 2 32,582,657 −1 .
The sides of this rhombus have length 1. The angle between the horizontal line and the shown diagonal is 1 / 2 (a + b).This is a geometric way to prove the particular tangent half-angle formula that says tan 1 / 2 (a + b) = (sin a + sin b) / (cos a + cos b).
Morrie's law is a special trigonometric identity.Its name is due to the physicist Richard Feynman, who used to refer to the identity under that name.Feynman picked that name because he learned it during his childhood from a boy with the name Morrie Jacobs and afterwards remembered it for all of his life.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to trigonometry: Trigonometry – branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between the sides and the angles in triangles. Trigonometry defines the trigonometric functions, which describe those relationships and have applicability to cyclical phenomena, such as waves.