Q.Find the value of sin15∘.
Concept understanding — Trigonometric Identity Proof
Trigonometric Identity Proof: From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you're standing at the corner of a right triangle. The two shorter sides — one horizontal, one vertical — and the sloping hypotenuse are all connected. If you change the angle at your corner, the lengths of the sides change, but the relationship between them stays fixed. That fixed relationship is what a trigonometric identity captures.
The Core Idea
A trigonometric identity is an equation involving trigonometric functions (like sinθ, cosθ, tanθ) that is true for every angle θ where both sides are defined. It's not a conditional equation (like sinθ=0.5, which is true only for specific angles). It's an eternal truth about how these functions relate.
The most famous one is:
sin2θ+cos2θ=1
This holds for any angle θ — acute, obtuse, negative, whatever. Why? Because on the unit circle, sinθ is the y-coordinate and cosθ is the x-coordinate of a point on a circle of radius 1. The Pythagorean theorem says x2+y2=1, so sin2θ+cos2θ=1 is just the Pythagorean theorem in disguise.
Proving an Identity: The Method
When you're asked to prove a trigonometric identity, you're not solving for an angle. You're showing that the left-hand side (LHS) and right-hand side (RHS) are the same expression, just written differently.
The golden rule: Start with one side and transform it into the other, using known identities and algebraic manipulation. Never move terms across the equals sign as if solving an equation — that assumes the identity is already true, which is what you're trying to prove.
A Simple Example
Prove: tanθ⋅cosθ=sinθ
Step 1: Pick a side to start with. Usually, the more complicated side is easier to simplify. Here, the LHS looks more complex.
Step 2: Replace tanθ with cosθsinθ (a known identity).
tanθ⋅cosθ=cosθsinθ⋅cosθ
Step 3: Cancel cosθ (provided cosθ=0 — but the identity holds for all angles where both sides are defined, and at cosθ=0, tanθ is undefined anyway).
=sinθ
That's it. The LHS simplifies exactly to the RHS.
The Toolbox of Known Identities
To prove any identity, you need to know the basic building blocks:
| Identity | Formula |
|---|---|
| Pythagorean | sin2θ+cos2θ=1 |
| Quotient | tanθ=cosθsinθ, cotθ=sinθcosθ |
| Reciprocal | cscθ=sinθ1, secθ=cosθ1, cotθ=tanθ1 |
| Even-Odd | sin(−θ)=−sinθ, cos(−θ)=cosθ |
A common mistake is to treat sin2θ as (sinθ)2 — which it is — but then incorrectly think sin2θ+cos2θ=1 means sinθ+cosθ=1. It does not. The square applies to the whole sine value, not to the angle.
A Slightly Harder Proof
Prove: cosθ1−cos2θ=sinθtanθ
Start with LHS: cosθ1−cos2θ
From the Pythagorean identity, 1−cos2θ=sin2θ. So:
cosθsin2θ=sinθ⋅cosθsinθ=sinθtanθ
That's the RHS. Done.
What Makes a Proof Valid?
- Every step must be reversible or an equivalence. You're not solving; you're rewriting.
- State any restrictions. If you divide by cosθ, note that cosθ=0 for that step — but the identity may still hold in the limit.
- Work on one side only. The cleanest proofs transform LHS into RHS (or vice versa) without touching both sides simultaneously.
If you get stuck, try rewriting everything in terms of sinθ and cosθ. Most identities become simple algebra after that.
The Big Picture
Trigonometric identities are the grammar of trigonometry. They let you simplify complex expressions, solve equations, and later integrate trigonometric functions in calculus. Every proof is just a puzzle: "Can I connect these two expressions using the relationships I already know?"
Start with the simplest identity — sin2θ+cos2θ=1 — and build from there. With practice, you'll see the patterns: factor, substitute, cancel, rewrite. That's all there is to it.
Proving trigonometric identities using the Pythagorean, quotient, and reciprocal relations is a staple exercise in the NCERT Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Trigonometric Functions, and "how to prove trigonometric identities step by step" is a commonly searched topic for CBSE board and JEE Main preparation. Because these identities are reused throughout calculus and coordinate geometry, they are consistently featured in "trigonometric identities important questions" for competitive-exam practice.
Concept: Angle subtraction formula for sine
We express 15∘ as the difference of two standard angles whose trigonometric values we know.
Write 15∘=45∘−30∘. Then apply the sine subtraction formula:
sin(A−B)=sinAcosB−cosAsinB
Substituting A=45∘ and B=30∘:
sin15∘=sin45∘cos30∘−cos45∘sin30∘
=21⋅23−21⋅21
=223−221=223−1
Rationalizing the denominator by multiplying numerator and denominator by 2:
sin15∘=22⋅2(3−1)2=46−2
The value is 46−2.
Use the angle-difference formula sin(45∘−30∘) to express sin15∘ in terms of known values, yielding sin15∘=46−2.
The key insight is recognizing that 15∘ can be written as the difference of two standard angles whose trigonometric values we know exactly: 15∘=45∘−30∘. This lets us apply the sine difference formula to break down an unfamiliar angle into familiar pieces.
sin(A−B)=sinAcosB−cosAsinB
We'll use the standard values from the 30∘-60∘-90∘ and 45∘-45∘-90∘ triangles:
| Angle | sin | cos |
|---|---|---|
| 30∘ | 21 | 23 |
| 45∘ | 22 | 22 |
Now let's work through the calculation:
-
Express 15∘ as a difference of standard angles
Write 15∘=45∘−30∘, so sin15∘=sin(45∘−30∘).
-
Apply the sine difference formula
sin15∘=sin45∘cos30∘−cos45∘sin30∘
- Substitute the known values
sin15∘=22⋅23−22⋅21
- Multiply out each term
sin15∘=42⋅3−42=46−42
- Combine the fractions
sin15∘=46−2
You could also use 15∘=60∘−45∘ or the half-angle formula sin15∘=sin230∘. All paths lead to the same answer, but the 45∘−30∘ approach is usually quickest.
A common mistake is writing sin(A−B)=sinA−sinB. The sine function is not linear—you must use the proper difference formula with both sine and cosine terms.
The value is 46−2.
Showing the 12 most recent of 57 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.tan15°=?(a) 2+3(b) 2−3(c) 31(d) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write 15°=45°−30° and apply tan(A−B)=1+tanAtanBtanA−tanB.
tan15°=tan(45°−30°)=1+tan45°tan30°tan45°−tan30°=1+311−31=3+13−1
Rationalise by multiplying numerator and denominator by (3−1):
(3+1)(3−1)(3−1)2=3−13−23+1=24−23=2−3
✓Final answer(b) 2−3.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.cos (x - y) - cos (x + y) = ..............
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the sum-to-product identity for cos A − cos B to simplify directly.
Use the identity:
cosA−cosB=−2sin(2A+B)sin(2A−B)
Here A=x−y and B=x+y:
2A+B=2(x−y)+(x+y)=x,2A−B=2(x−y)−(x+y)=−y
So:
cos(x−y)−cos(x+y)=−2sin(x)sin(−y)=−2sinx(−siny)=2sinxsiny
✓Final answercos(x−y)−cos(x+y)=2sinxsiny.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Match the columns — Column A: sin2x. Choose its correct equivalent from Column B.(a) 1+tan2x1−tan2x(b) 1−tan2x2tanx(c) 1+tan2x2tanx(d) −sinx(e) sinx(f) −cosx(g) cosx
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin2x=2sinxcosx, which in terms of tanx becomes 1+tan2x2tanx.
Start from sin2x=2sinxcosx.
Write 2sinxcosx=cos2x+sin2x2sinxcosx (dividing by 1, since sin2x+cos2x=1).
Divide numerator and denominator by cos2x: numerator becomes 2tanx, denominator becomes 1+tan2x.
So sin2x=1+tan2x2tanx.
✓Final answerThe correct match is (c) 1+tan2x2tanx.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Match the columns — Column A: cos2x. Choose its correct equivalent from Column B.(a) 1+tan2x1−tan2x(b) 1−tan2x2tanx(c) 1+tan2x2tanx(d) −sinx(e) sinx(f) −cosx(g) cosx
›Reveal solutionSolution
cos2x=cos2x−sin2x, which in terms of tanx becomes 1+tan2x1−tan2x.
Start from cos2x=cos2x−sin2x.
Write this as cos2x+sin2xcos2x−sin2x (dividing by 1, since cos2x+sin2x=1).
Divide numerator and denominator by cos2x: numerator becomes 1−tan2x, denominator becomes 1+tan2x.
So cos2x=1+tan2x1−tan2x.
✓Final answerThe correct match is (a) 1+tan2x1−tan2x.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Match the columns — Column A: tan2x. Choose its correct equivalent from Column B.(a) 1+tan2x1−tan2x(b) 1−tan2x2tanx(c) 1+tan2x2tanx(d) −sinx(e) sinx(f) −cosx(g) cosx
›Reveal solutionSolution
tan2x=1−tan2x2tanx, obtained by dividing the sine and cosine double-angle identities.
Using sin2x=1+tan2x2tanx and cos2x=1+tan2x1−tan2x (both derived above):
tan2x=cos2xsin2x=(1−tan2x)/(1+tan2x)2tanx/(1+tan2x)=1−tan2x2tanx.
✓Final answerThe correct match is (b) 1−tan2x2tanx.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.sin2x=(a) 2sinxcosx(b) sinxcosx(c) 1+tan2x2tanx(d) 2tanx1+tan2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin2x=2sinxcosx.
Using sin(A+B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB with A=B=x: sin(x+x)=sinxcosx+cosxsinx=2sinxcosx.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (a) 2sinxcosx.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.cos2x=(a) 1+tan2x2tanx(b) 1−tan2x2tanx(c) 1+tan2x1−tan2x(d) 1−tan2x1+tan2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
cos2x=1+tan2x1−tan2x.
Starting from cos2x=cos2x−sin2x, divide numerator and denominator by cos2x (using cos2x−sin2x=cos2x(1−tan2x) and 1=cos2x+sin2x=cos2x(1+tan2x)):
cos2x=cos2x+sin2xcos2x−sin2x=1+tan2x1−tan2x.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) 1+tan2x1−tan2x.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.4sin3x−3sinx=(a) sin3x(b) cos3x(c) −cos3x(d) −sin3x
›Reveal solutionSolution
4sin3x−3sinx=−sin3x.
The standard triple-angle identity is sin3x=3sinx−4sin3x.
Rearranging: 4sin3x−3sinx=−(3sinx−4sin3x)=−sin3x.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) −sin3x.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.2tanx1−tan2x=(a) tan2x(b) cot2x(c) cos2x(d) sin2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
2tanx1−tan2x=cot2x.
The double-angle formula for tangent is tan2x=1−tan2x2tanx.
Taking the reciprocal of both sides: cot2x=tan2x1=2tanx1−tan2x.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) cot2x.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.cos(A−B)=(a) cosA−cosB(b) cosAcosB+sinAsinB(c) cosAcosB−sinAsinB(d) cosAsinB−sinAcosB
›Reveal solutionSolution
cos(A−B)=cosAcosB+sinAsinB.
This is one of the standard compound angle formulas, derived using the unit circle / geometric construction (or from cos(A−B)=cos(A+(−B)) and the evenness of cosine, oddness of sine).
It is the standard identity for the cosine of a difference of two angles.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) cosAcosB+sinAsinB.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)=(a) 2sinAsinB(b) 2sinAcosB(c) 2cosAcosB(d) 2cosAsinB
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)=2sinAcosB.
Expand each term: sin(A+B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB, and sin(A−B)=sinAcosB−cosAsinB.
Adding: sin(A+B)+sin(A−B)=(sinAcosB+cosAsinB)+(sinAcosB−cosAsinB)=2sinAcosB (the cosAsinB terms cancel).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) 2sinAcosB.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.cos(A+B)+cos(A−B)=(a) 2cosAsinB(b) 2cosAcosB(c) 2sinAsinB(d) 2sinAcosB
›Reveal solutionSolution
cos(A+B)+cos(A−B)=2cosAcosB.
Expand each term: cos(A+B)=cosAcosB−sinAsinB, and cos(A−B)=cosAcosB+sinAsinB.
Adding: cos(A+B)+cos(A−B)=(cosAcosB−sinAsinB)+(cosAcosB+sinAsinB)=2cosAcosB (the sinAsinB terms cancel).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) 2cosAcosB.
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