Question #16d46

1 Answer
Apr 17, 2017

tan (x/2) = sqrt((1 - cos x)/(1 + cos x)tan(x2)=1cosx1+cosx

Explanation:

Use trig identities:
2sin^2x = 1 - cos 2x2sin2x=1cos2x
2cos^2 x = 1 + cos 2x2cos2x=1+cos2x
In this case:
tan (x/2) = sin (x/2)/(cos (x/2)tan(x2)=sin(x2)cos(x2)
Find sin (x/2)sin(x2) and cos (x/2)cos(x2) in terms of cos x.
sin^2 (x/2) = (1 - cos x)/2sin2(x2)=1cosx2 -->
sin (x/2) = +- sqrt((1 - cos x))/(sqrt2)sin(x2)=±(1cosx)2.

cos^2 (x/2) = (1 + cos x)/2cos2(x2)=1+cosx2.
cos (x/2) = +- sqrt((1 + cos x)/(sqrt2)cos(x2)=±1+cosx2.
tan (x/2) = sqrt((1 - cos x)/(1 + cos x))tan(x2)=1cosx1+cosx.