Question #16d46

1 Answer
Apr 17, 2017

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

Explanation:

Use trig identities:
2sin^2x = 1 - cos 2x
2cos^2 x = 1 + cos 2x
In this case:
tan (x/2) = sin (x/2)/(cos (x/2)
Find sin (x/2) and cos (x/2) in terms of cos x.
sin^2 (x/2) = (1 - cos x)/2 -->
sin (x/2) = +- sqrt((1 - cos x))/(sqrt2).

cos^2 (x/2) = (1 + cos x)/2.
cos (x/2) = +- sqrt((1 + cos x)/(sqrt2).
tan (x/2) = sqrt((1 - cos x)/(1 + cos x)).