Arc Addition Formulas

When we add two angles and calculate a trigonometric function of them we realize that we won't get the same result if before we add these angles we apply the addition property in some cases, that is, we cannot always apply the following property cos (x + y) = cos x + cos y. See some examples:
Example 1:
cos (π + π) = cos (2π + π) = cos () = cos 270º = 0
2 2 2

cos (π + π) = cos π + cos π = cos 180° + cos 90° = -1. 0 = 0
2 2
In this example it was possible to obtain the same result, but see the example below:
Example 2:
cos (π + π) = cos () = cos 120º = 0 
3 3 3
cos (π + π) = cos π + cos π = cos 60th + cos 60th = 1 + 1 = 1 
3 3 3 3 2 2
We verify that the equality cos(x + y) = cos x + cos y is not true for any value that x and y take, so we conclude that the equalities:
sin (x + y) = sin x + sin y
sin (x - y) = sin x - sin y
cos (x + y) = cos x + cos y
cos (x - y) = cos x + cos y
tg (x + y) = tg x + tg y
tg (x - y) = tg x + tg y

These are equals that are not true for any value that x and y take, so look at the true equalities for calculating the addition or difference of sine, cosine, and tangent arcs.


• sin (x + y) = sin x. cos y + sin y. cos x
• sin (x - y) = sin x. cos y – sin y. cos x
• cos (x + y) = cos x. cos y – sin x. if you
• cos (x – y) = cos x. cos y + sin x. if you
• tg (x + y) = tg x + tg y
1 - tg x. yy
• tg (x - y) = tg x - tg y
1 + tg x. yy

by Danielle de Miranda
Graduated in Mathematics
Brazil School Team

Trigonometry - Math - Brazil School

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/matematica/formulas-adicao-arcos.htm

Understand more about the PL that aims to release homeschooling in Brazil

Many parents wonder about the possibility of teaching children without having to leave home. This...

read more

FGTS birthday withdrawal can end at any time!

In an interview given to the newspaper O Globo, Luiz Marinho, the new minister of Labor, informed...

read more

New Brazilian passport receives a new date for the start of its issuance

In June 2022, the federal government informed that the new version of the Brazilian passport woul...

read more