Stage 25 · Trigonometry

25.5.1 Cosine of a Sum or Difference

25.5 Trigonometric Identities and Transformations

Point 1 of 5

25.5.1 Cosine of a Sum or Difference

Core idea

The cosine of two angles joined together can't simply be added; you have to unpack it with cos(α±β)=cosαcosβ∓sinαsinβ.

Module goal. We build the rules for combining known angles into new ones — starting from the sum and difference formulas to reach double-angle and auxiliary-angle forms — so messy trig expressions can be simplified, combined, and evaluated.
eastmath.com · 25.5 Trigonometric Identities and Transformations · 25.5.1 Cosine of a Sum or Difference