Half Angle Formulas/Sine
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Theorem
\(\ds \sin \frac \theta 2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds +\sqrt {\frac {1 - \cos \theta} 2}\) | for $\dfrac \theta 2$ in quadrant $\text I$ or quadrant $\text {II}$ | |||||||||||
\(\ds \sin \frac \theta 2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds -\sqrt {\dfrac {1 - \cos \theta} 2}\) | for $\dfrac \theta 2$ in quadrant $\text {III}$ or quadrant $\text {IV}$ |
where $\sin$ denotes sine and $\cos$ denotes cosine.
Proof 1
\(\ds \cos \theta\) | \(=\) | \(\ds 1 - 2 \ \sin^2 \frac \theta 2\) | Double Angle Formula for Cosine: Corollary $2$ | |||||||||||
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) | \(\ds 2 \ \sin^2 \frac \theta 2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds 1 - \cos \theta\) | |||||||||||
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) | \(\ds \sin \frac \theta 2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \pm \sqrt {\frac {1 - \cos \theta} 2}\) |
We also have that:
- In quadrant $\text I$ and quadrant $\text {II}$, $\sin \theta > 0$
- In quadrant $\text {III}$ and quadrant $\text {IV}$, $\sin \theta < 0$.
$\blacksquare$
Proof 2
Define:
- $u = \dfrac \theta 2$
Then:
\(\ds \sin^2 u\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \frac {1 - \cos 2 u} 2\) | Power Reduction Formulas | |||||||||||
\(\ds \leadsto \ \ \) | \(\ds \sin \frac \theta 2\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \pm \sqrt {\frac {1 - \cos \theta} 2}\) |
We also have that:
- In quadrant $\text I$, and quadrant $\text {II}$, $\sin \theta > 0$
- In quadrant $\text {III}$, and quadrant $\text {IV}$, $\sin \theta < 0$.
$\blacksquare$
Also see
Sources
- 1968: Murray R. Spiegel: Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 5$: Trigonometric Functions: $5.41$
- 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): half-angle formula
- 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $5$: Eternal Triangles: Ptolemy
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): half-angle formula