How do you verify the identity (1+sinalpha)(1-sinalpha)=cos^2alpha?

1 Answer
Jan 4, 2017

see below

Explanation:

color(red)((1+sinalpha)(1-sinalpha))=cos^2alpha

apply FOIL to the red bit. you get: 1 - sin alpha + sin alpha - sin^2 alpha = 1 - sin^2 alpha

then you have the Pythagorean identity to finish it off :)

1 - sin^2 alpha = cos^2 alpha implies sin^2 alpha + cos^2 alpha = 1