Trigonometric Proof (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Additional Maths) : Revision Note
Trigonometric Proof
Proving trigonometric identities
You can use trigonometric identities you already know to prove new identities
Make sure you know the simple trigonometric identities and further trigonometric identities
To prove an identity start on one side and proceed step by step until you get to the other side
e.g. to prove that
Start with the left hand side, and expand
Simplify using the identity
This is now equal to the expression on the right, so the statement has been proven
Make sure you are confident handling fractions and fractions-within-fractions

Always keep an eye on the 'target' expression – this can help suggest what identities to use
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Don't forget that you can start a proof from either side – sometimes it might be easier to start with a particular side
If you get stuck - try starting from the other side instead!
Worked Example
Prove that:
Use the definitions of and
, to rewrite the left hand side
Expand the brackets, using the fact that multiplying by is the same as dividing by
Use the definition of to rewrite the expression
Use the identity to rewrite the expression
Simplify to achieve the right hand side
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