Sum-to-Product and Product-to-Sum Formulas

In this section, you will:

Photo of the UCLA marching band.

A band marches down the field creating an amazing sound that bolsters the crowd. That sound travels as a wave that can be interpreted using trigonometric functions. For example, [link] represents a sound wave for the musical note A. In this section, we will investigate trigonometric identities that are the foundation of everyday phenomena such as sound waves.

Graph of a sound wave for the musical note A - it is a periodic function much like sin and cos - from 0 to .01

Expressing Products as Sums

We have already learned a number of formulas useful for expanding or simplifying trigonometric expressions, but sometimes we may need to express the product of cosine and sine as a sum. We can use the product-to-sum formulas, which express products of trigonometric functions as sums. Let’s investigate the cosine identity first and then the sine identity.

Expressing Products as Sums for Cosine

We can derive the product-to-sum formula from the sum and difference identities for cosine. If we add the two equations, we get:

cosαcosβ+sinαsinβ = cos(αβ) +cosαcosβsinαsinβ = cos(α+β) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ 2cosαcosβ = cos(αβ)+cos(α+β)

Then, we divide by 2

to isolate the product of cosines:

cosαcosβ= 1 2 [cos(αβ)+cos(α+β)]

Given a product of cosines, express as a sum.

  1. Write the formula for the product of cosines.
  2. Substitute the given angles into the formula.
  3. Simplify.
Writing the Product as a Sum Using the Product-to-Sum Formula for Cosine

Write the following product of cosines as a sum: 2cos( 7x 2 )cos 3x 2 .

We begin by writing the formula for the product of cosines:

cosαcosβ= 1 2 [ cos( αβ )+cos( α+β ) ]

We can then substitute the given angles into the formula and simplify.

2cos( 7x 2 )cos( 3x 2 ) = (2)( 1 2 )[ cos( 7x 2 3x 2 ))+cos( 7x 2 + 3x 2 ) ] = [ cos( 4x 2 )+cos( 10x 2 ) ] = cos2x+cos5x

Use the product-to-sum formula to write the product as a sum or difference: cos( 2θ )cos( 4θ ).

1 2 ( cos6θ+cos2θ )

Expressing the Product of Sine and Cosine as a Sum

Next, we will derive the product-to-sum formula for sine and cosine from the sum and difference formulas for sine. If we add the sum and difference identities, we get:

 sin(α+β) = sinαcosβ+cosαsinβ + sin(αβ) = sinαcosβcosαsinβ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ sin(α+β)+sin(αβ) = 2sinαcosβ

Then, we divide by 2 to isolate the product of cosine and sine:

sinαcosβ= 1 2 [ sin( α+β )+sin( αβ ) ]
Writing the Product as a Sum Containing only Sine or Cosine

Express the following product as a sum containing only sine or cosine and no products: sin( 4θ )cos( 2θ ).

Write the formula for the product of sine and cosine. Then substitute the given values into the formula and simplify.

sinαcosβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)+sin(αβ)] sin(4θ)cos(2θ) = 1 2 [sin(4θ+2θ)+sin(4θ2θ)] = 1 2 [sin(6θ)+sin(2θ)]

Use the product-to-sum formula to write the product as a sum: sin( x+y )cos( xy ).

1 2 ( sin2x+sin2y )

Expressing Products of Sines in Terms of Cosine

Expressing the product of sines in terms of cosine is also derived from the sum and difference identities for cosine. In this case, we will first subtract the two cosine formulas:

                    cos( αβ )=cosαcosβ+sinαsinβ                  cos( α+β )=( cosαcosβsinαsinβ ) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ cos( αβ )cos( α+β )=2sinαsinβ

Then, we divide by 2 to isolate the product of sines:

sinαsinβ= 1 2 [ cos( αβ )cos( α+β ) ]

Similarly we could express the product of cosines in terms of sine or derive other product-to-sum formulas.

The Product-to-Sum Formulas

The product-to-sum formulas are as follows:

cosαcosβ = 1 2 [cos(αβ)+cos(α+β)]
sinαcosβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)+sin(αβ)]
sinαsinβ = 1 2 [cos(αβ)cos(α+β)]
cosαsinβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)sin(αβ)]
Express the Product as a Sum or Difference

Write cos(3θ)cos(5θ)

as a sum or difference.

We have the product of cosines, so we begin by writing the related formula. Then we substitute the given angles and simplify.

cosαcosβ = 1 2 [cos(αβ)+cos(α+β)] cos(3θ)cos(5θ) = 1 2 [cos(3θ5θ)+cos(3θ+5θ)] = 1 2 [cos(2θ)+cos(8θ)] Use even-odd identity.

Use the product-to-sum formula to evaluate cos 11π 12 cos π 12 .

2 3 4

Expressing Sums as Products

Some problems require the reverse of the process we just used. The sum-to-product formulas allow us to express sums of sine or cosine as products. These formulas can be derived from the product-to-sum identities. For example, with a few substitutions, we can derive the sum-to-product identity for sine. Let u+v 2 =α

and uv 2 =β.

Then,

α+β = u+v 2 + uv 2 = 2u 2 = u αβ = u+v 2 uv 2 = 2v 2 = v

Thus, replacing α

and β

in the product-to-sum formula with the substitute expressions, we have

sinαcosβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)+sin(αβ)] sin( u+v 2 )cos( uv 2 ) = 1 2 [sinu+sinv] Substitute for(α+β) and (αβ) 2sin( u+v 2 )cos( uv 2 ) = sinu+sinv

The other sum-to-product identities are derived similarly.

Sum-to-Product Formulas

The sum-to-product formulas are as follows:

sinα+sinβ = 2sin( α+β 2 )cos( αβ 2 )
sinαsinβ = 2sin( αβ 2 )cos( α+β 2 )
cosαcosβ = −2sin( α+β 2 )sin( αβ 2 )
cosα+cosβ = 2cos( α+β 2 )cos( αβ 2 )
Writing the Difference of Sines as a Product

Write the following difference of sines expression as a product: sin( 4θ )sin( 2θ ).

We begin by writing the formula for the difference of sines.

sinαsinβ=2sin( αβ 2 )cos( α+β 2 )

Substitute the values into the formula, and simplify.

sin(4θ)sin(2θ) = 2sin( 4θ2θ 2 )cos( 4θ+2θ 2 ) = 2sin( 2θ 2 )cos( 6θ 2 ) = 2sinθcos(3θ)

Use the sum-to-product formula to write the sum as a product: sin( 3θ )+sin( θ ).

2sin( 2θ )cos( θ )
Evaluating Using the Sum-to-Product Formula

Evaluate cos(15°)cos(75°).

Check the answer with a graphing calculator.

We begin by writing the formula for the difference of cosines.

cosαcosβ=2sin( α+β 2 )sin( αβ 2 )

Then we substitute the given angles and simplify.

cos(15°)cos(75°) = −2sin( 15°+75° 2 )sin( 15°75° 2 ) = −2sin(45°)sin(−30°) = −2( 2 2 )( 1 2 ) = 2 2
Proving an Identity

Prove the identity:

cos( 4t )cos( 2t ) sin( 4t )+sin( 2t ) =tant

We will start with the left side, the more complicated side of the equation, and rewrite the expression until it matches the right side.

cos(4t)cos(2t) sin(4t)+sin(2t) = 2sin( 4t+2t 2 )sin( 4t2t 2 ) 2sin( 4t+2t 2 )cos( 4t2t 2 ) = 2sin(3t)sint 2sin(3t)cost = 2 sin(3t) sint 2 sin(3t) cost = sint cost = tant
Analysis

Recall that verifying trigonometric identities has its own set of rules. The procedures for solving an equation are not the same as the procedures for verifying an identity. When we prove an identity, we pick one side to work on and make substitutions until that side is transformed into the other side.

Verifying the Identity Using Double-Angle Formulas and Reciprocal Identities

Verify the identity csc 2 θ2= cos(2θ) sin 2 θ .

For verifying this equation, we are bringing together several of the identities. We will use the double-angle formula and the reciprocal identities. We will work with the right side of the equation and rewrite it until it matches the left side.

cos(2θ) sin 2 θ = 12 sin 2 θ sin 2 θ = 1 sin 2 θ 2 sin 2 θ sin 2 θ = csc 2 θ2

Verify the identity tanθcotθ cos 2 θ= sin 2 θ.

tanθcotθ cos 2 θ = ( sinθ cosθ )( cosθ sinθ ) cos 2 θ = 1 cos 2 θ = sin 2 θ

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with the product-to-sum and sum-to-product identities.

Key Equations

Product-to-sum Formulas cosαcosβ = 1 2 [cos(αβ)+cos(α+β)] sinαcosβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)+sin(αβ)] sinαsinβ = 1 2 [cos(αβ)cos(α+β)] cosαsinβ = 1 2 [sin(α+β)sin(αβ)]
Sum-to-product Formulas sinα+sinβ = 2sin( α+β 2 )cos( αβ 2 ) sinαsinβ = 2sin( αβ 2 )cos( α+β 2 ) cosαcosβ = 2sin( α+β 2 )sin( αβ 2 ) cosα+cosβ = 2cos( α+β 2 )cos( αβ 2 )

Key Concepts

Section Exercises

Verbal

Starting with the product to sum formula sinαcosβ= 1 2 [sin(α+β)+sin(αβ)],

explain how to determine the formula for cosαsinβ.

Substitute α

into cosine and β

into sine and evaluate.

Provide two different methods of calculating cos(195°)cos(105°),

one of which uses the product to sum. Which method is easier?

Describe a situation where we would convert an equation from a sum to a product and give an example.

Answers will vary. There are some equations that involve a sum of two trig expressions where when converted to a product are easier to solve. For example: sin(3x)+sinx cosx =1.

When converting the numerator to a product the equation becomes: 2sin(2x)cosx cosx =1

Describe a situation where we would convert an equation from a product to a sum, and give an example.

Algebraic

For the following exercises, rewrite the product as a sum or difference.

16sin(16x)sin(11x)
8( cos( 5x )cos( 27x ) )
20cos( 36t )cos( 6t )
2sin( 5x )cos( 3x )
sin( 2x )+sin( 8x )
10cos( 5x )sin( 10x )
sin( x )sin( 5x )
1 2 ( cos( 6x )cos( 4x ) )
sin( 3x )cos( 5x )

For the following exercises, rewrite the sum or difference as a product.

cos( 6t )+cos( 4t )
2cos( 5t )cost
sin( 3x )+sin( 7x )
cos( 7x )+cos( 7x )
2cos( 7x )
sin( 3x )sin( 3x )
cos( 3x )+cos( 9x )
2cos( 6x )cos( 3x )
sinhsin( 3h )

For the following exercises, evaluate the product for the following using a sum or difference of two functions. Evaluate exactly.

cos( 45° )cos( 15° )
1 4 ( 1+ 3 )
cos( 45° )sin( 15° )
sin( −345° )sin( −15° )
1 4 ( 3 2 )
sin( 195° )cos( 15° )
sin( −45° )sin( −15° )
1 4 ( 3 1 )

For the following exercises, evaluate the product using a sum or difference of two functions. Leave in terms of sine and cosine.

cos( 23° )sin( 17° )
2sin( 100° )sin( 20° )
cos( 80° )cos( 120° )
2sin(−100°)sin(−20°)
sin( 213° )cos( )
1 2 (sin(221°)+sin(205°))
2cos(56°)cos(47°)

For the following exercises, rewrite the sum as a product of two functions. Leave in terms of sine and cosine.

sin(76°)+sin(14°)
2 cos( 31° )
cos( 58° )cos( 12° )
sin(101°)sin(32°)
2cos(66.5°)sin(34.5°)
cos( 100° )+cos( 200° )
sin(−1°)+sin(−2°)
2sin( −1.5° )cos( 0.5° )

For the following exercises, prove the identity.

cos(a+b) cos(ab) = 1tanatanb 1+tanatanb
4sin( 3x )cos( 4x )=2sin( 7x )2sinx
2sin(7x)2sinx=2sin(4x+3x)2sin(4x3x)= 2(sin(4x)cos(3x)+sin(3x)cos(4x))2(sin(4x)cos(3x)sin(3x)cos(4x))= 2sin(4x)cos(3x)+2sin(3x)cos(4x))2sin(4x)cos(3x)+2sin(3x)cos(4x))= 4sin(3x)cos(4x)
6cos( 8x )sin( 2x ) sin( 6x ) =−3sin( 10x )csc( 6x )+3
sinx+sin( 3x )=4sinx cos 2 x
sinx+sin(3x) = 2sin( 4x 2 )cos( 2x 2 )= 2sin(2x)cosx = 2(2sinxcosx)cosx= 4sinx cos 2 x
2( cos 3 xcosx sin 2 x )=cos( 3x )+cosx
2tanxcos( 3x )=secx( sin( 4x )sin( 2x ) )
2tanxcos( 3x )= 2sinxcos(3x) cosx = 2(.5(sin(4x)sin(2x))) cosx = 1 cosx ( sin(4x)sin(2x) )=secx( sin( 4x )sin( 2x ) )
cos( a+b )+cos( ab )=2cosacosb

Numeric

For the following exercises, rewrite the sum as a product of two functions or the product as a sum of two functions. Give your answer in terms of sines and cosines. Then evaluate the final answer numerically, rounded to four decimal places.

cos(58°)+cos(12°)
2cos(35°)cos(23°),1.5081
sin()sin()
cos(44°)cos(22°)
2sin(33°)sin(11°),0.2078
cos(176°)sin()
sin(−14°)sin(85°)
1 2 (cos(99°)cos(71°)),−0.2410

Technology

For the following exercises, algebraically determine whether each of the given equation is an identity. If it is not an identity, replace the right-hand side with an expression equivalent to the left side. Verify the results by graphing both expressions on a calculator.

2sin(2x)sin(3x)=cosxcos(5x)
cos( 10θ )+cos( 6θ ) cos( 6θ )cos( 10θ ) =cot( 2θ )cot( 8θ )

It is an identity.

sin( 3x )sin( 5x ) cos( 3x )+cos( 5x ) =tanx
2cos(2x)cosx+sin(2x)sinx=2sinx

It is not an identity, but 2 cos 3 x

is.

sin( 2x )+sin( 4x ) sin( 2x )sin( 4x ) =tan( 3x )cotx

For the following exercises, simplify the expression to one term, then graph the original function and your simplified version to verify they are identical.

sin( 9t )sin( 3t ) cos( 9t )+cos( 3t )
tan( 3t )
2sin( 8x )cos( 6x )sin( 2x )
sin( 3x )sinx sinx
2cos( 2x )
cos( 5x )+cos( 3x ) sin( 5x )+sin( 3x )
sinxcos( 15x )cosxsin( 15x )
sin(14x)

Extensions

For the following exercises, prove the following sum-to-product formulas.

sinxsiny=2sin( xy 2 )cos( x+y 2 )
cosx+cosy=2cos( x+y 2 )cos( xy 2 )

Start with cosx+cosy.

Make a substitution and let x=α+β

and let y=αβ,

so cosx+cosy

becomes cos(α+β)+cos(αβ)=cosαcosβsinαsinβ+cosαcosβ+sinαsinβ= 2cosαcosβ

Since x=α+β

and y=αβ,

we can solve for α

and β

in terms of x and y and substitute in for 2cosαcosβ

and get 2cos( x+y 2 )cos( xy 2 ).

For the following exercises, prove the identity.

sin(6x)+sin(4x) sin(6x)sin(4x) =tan(5x)cotx
cos(3x)+cosx cos(3x)cosx =cot(2x)cotx
cos( 3x )+cosx cos( 3x )cosx = 2cos( 2x )cosx 2sin( 2x )sinx =cot( 2x )cotx
cos(6y)+cos(8y) sin(6y)sin(4y) =cotycos(7y)sec(5y)
cos( 2y )cos( 4y ) sin( 2y )+sin( 4y ) =tany
cos(2y)cos(4y) sin(2y)+sin(4y) = 2sin(3y)sin(y) 2sin(3y)cosy = 2sin(3y)sin(y) 2sin(3y)cosy = tany
sin( 10x )sin( 2x ) cos( 10x )+cos( 2x ) =tan( 4x )
cosxcos(3x)=4 sin 2 xcosx
cosxcos( 3x )=2sin(2x)sin(x)= 2(2sinxcosx)sinx=4 sin 2 xcosx
(cos(2x)cos(4x)) 2 + (sin(4x)+sin(2x)) 2 =4 sin 2 (3x)
tan( π 4 t )= 1tant 1+tant
tan( π 4 t )= tan( π 4 )tant 1+tan( π 4 )tan(t) = 1tant 1+tant

Glossary

product-to-sum formula
a trigonometric identity that allows the writing of a product of trigonometric functions as a sum or difference of trigonometric functions
sum-to-product formula
a trigonometric identity that allows, by using substitution, the writing of a sum of trigonometric functions as a product of trigonometric functions

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