Equation or Identity (1)
Throughout, $A$, $B$ and $C$ are the angles of a triangle.
For each of the following, decide whether it is an identity (true for all triangles) or an equation (there is a triangle for which it is not true).
If it is an identity, true for all triangles, then you should prove it (perhaps using trigonometric identities that you already know).
If it is an equation, then give an example of a triangle for which it is not true. You could also try to solve the equation (that is, find all triangles for which it is true).
1. $\sin(\frac{\pi}{2} - A) = \cos A$.
2. $\sec^2 A - \tan^2 A = 1$.
3. $\tan(A + B) = - \tan C$.
4. $\sin^2 A - \cos^2 B = 1$.
5. $\sin(\pi - A) = \sin B$.
6. $\sin^2 A - 3\cos A = $ cosec$^2 C - \cot^2 C$.
Underground Mathematics is hosted by Cambridge Mathematics. The project was originally funded by a grant from the UK Department for Education to provide free web-based resources that support the teaching and learning of post-16 mathematics.
Visit the site at undergroundmathematics.org to find more resources, which also offer suggestions, solutions and teacher notes to help with their use in the classroom.
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