Skip to content
Worked Examples · Example 11

Q.Find the value of sin⁡15∘\sin 15^\circ.

CBSENCERTSubjective· 2mImportance★★★★★est
35% · 53/150 Questions
✓ Free question

Use the angle-difference formula sin⁡(45∘−30∘)\sin(45^\circ - 30^\circ) to express sin⁡15∘\sin 15^\circ in terms of known values, yielding sin⁡15∘=6−24\sin 15^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}.

The key insight is recognizing that 15∘15^\circ can be written as the difference of two standard angles whose trigonometric values we know exactly: 15∘=45∘−30∘15^\circ = 45^\circ - 30^\circ. This lets us apply the sine difference formula to break down an unfamiliar angle into familiar pieces.

sin⁡(A−B)=sin⁡Acos⁡B−cos⁡Asin⁡B\sin(A - B) = \sin A \cos B - \cos A \sin B

We'll use the standard values from the 30∘30^\circ-60∘60^\circ-90∘90^\circ and 45∘45^\circ-45∘45^\circ-90∘90^\circ triangles:

Anglesin⁡\sincos⁡\cos
30∘30^\circ12\frac{1}{2}32\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
45∘45^\circ22\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}22\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}

Now let's work through the calculation:

  1. Express 15∘15^\circ as a difference of standard angles

    Write 15∘=45∘−30∘15^\circ = 45^\circ - 30^\circ, so sin⁡15∘=sin⁡(45∘−30∘)\sin 15^\circ = \sin(45^\circ - 30^\circ).

  2. Apply the sine difference formula

sin⁡15∘=sin⁡45∘cos⁡30∘−cos⁡45∘sin⁡30∘\sin 15^\circ = \sin 45^\circ \cos 30^\circ - \cos 45^\circ \sin 30^\circ

  1. Substitute the known values

sin⁡15∘=22⋅32−22⋅12\sin 15^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{2}

  1. Multiply out each term

sin⁡15∘=2⋅34−24=64−24\sin 15^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{3}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4} = \frac{\sqrt{6}}{4} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{4}

  1. Combine the fractions

sin⁡15∘=6−24\sin 15^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}

Tip

You could also use 15∘=60∘−45∘15^\circ = 60^\circ - 45^\circ or the half-angle formula sin⁡15∘=sin⁡30∘2\sin 15^\circ = \sin\frac{30^\circ}{2}. All paths lead to the same answer, but the 45∘−30∘45^\circ - 30^\circ approach is usually quickest.

Watch out

A common mistake is writing sin⁡(A−B)=sin⁡A−sin⁡B\sin(A - B) = \sin A - \sin B. The sine function is not linear—you must use the proper difference formula with both sine and cosine terms.

✓Final answer

The value is 6−24\boxed{\frac{\sqrt{6} - \sqrt{2}}{4}}.

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.