1.What does it actually mean to verify a trig identity?
To verify a trig function means to have a different version of the same trig function. We could have different trig functions in equations or fractions, but eventually reduces to one trig function.
2.What tips and tricks have you found helpful?
To get through this unit, it is crucial to memorize all the trig identities. It was easy to do because we had already learned and memorized all the reciprocal identities from a past unit. Also remember that reciprocal and ratio identities are able to power up or down, but not Pythagorean identities.
3.Explain your thought process and steps you take in verifying a trig identity. Do not use a specific example, but speak in general terms of what you would do no matter what they give you.
To get through to verify a trig function, the first thing I do is look for any identities to simplify the function. I would look for any greatest common factors, cancel out, combine like terms, or it dealing with fractions, I would multiply the fraction by the conjugate to get a common denominator. If there are any tan or cot functions, I could use ratio identities to convert them to sin and cos, but one thing I remember is not to square anything because I am only allowed to square both sides.
No comments:
Post a Comment