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Last updated on September 25, 2025
In trigonometry, the double angle formulas are used to express trigonometric functions of twice an angle in terms of functions of the original angle. In this topic, we will learn about the sin double angle formula and how it can be applied.
The double angle formula for sine allows us to express sin(2θ) in terms of sin(θ) and cos(θ). Let’s learn the formula to calculate sin(2θ).
The sin double angle formula expresses the sine of a double angle in terms of sine and cosine of the angle.
It is given by: sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ)cos(θ)
The formula for sin(2θ) can be derived using the sum of angles formula for sine:
sin(2θ) = sin(θ + θ) = sin(θ)cos(θ) + cos(θ)sin(θ) = 2sin(θ)cos(θ)
The sin double angle formula is crucial in simplifying trigonometric expressions and solving trigonometric equations.
This formula is often used in calculus, physics, and engineering to simplify complex trigonometric expressions and solve problems involving periodic functions.
Students often find trigonometric formulas challenging to remember. Here are some tips to help memorize the sin double angle formula:
The sin double angle formula is widely used in various fields of science and engineering:
Students might make errors when applying the sin double angle formula. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them:
If sin(θ) = 3/5 and θ is in the first quadrant, what is sin(2θ)?
sin(2θ) = 24/25
First, find cos(θ) using the Pythagorean identity: cos(θ) = √(1 - sin²(θ)) = √(1 - (3/5)²) = 4/5.
Now, apply the sin double angle formula: sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ)cos(θ) = 2(3/5)(4/5) = 24/25.
Find sin(2θ) if cos(θ) = 12/13 and θ is in the fourth quadrant.
sin(2θ) = -120/169
In the fourth quadrant, sin(θ) is negative.
Find sin(θ) using the Pythagorean identity: sin(θ) = -√(1 - cos²(θ)) = -5/13.
Apply the sin double angle formula: sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ)cos(θ) = 2(-5/13)(12/13) = -120/169.
Jaskaran Singh Saluja is a math wizard with nearly three years of experience as a math teacher. His expertise is in algebra, so he can make algebra classes interesting by turning tricky equations into simple puzzles.
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