# Cos Double Angle Formula

As you know there are these trigonometric formulas like Sin 2x, Cos 2x, Tan 2x which are known as double angle formulae for they have double angles in them. To get a good understanding of this topic, Let’s go through the practice examples provided.

 Cos 2 X = Cos2A – Sin2A = 2Cos2A – 1 = 1 – 2Cos2A

## Introduction to Cos 2 Theta formula

Let’s have a look at trigonometric formulae known as the double angle formulae. They are said to be so as it involves double angles trigonometric functions, i.e. Cos 2x.

### Deriving Double Angle Formulae for Cos 2t

Let’s start by considering the addition formula.

Cos(A + B) = Cos A cos B – Sin A sin B

Let’s equate B to A, i.e A = B

And then, the first of these formulae becomes: Cos(t + t) = Cos t cos t – Sin t sin t

so that Cos 2t = Cos2t – Sin2t

And this is how we get second double-angle formula, which is so called because you are doubling the angle (as in 2A).

## Practice Example for Cos 2:

Solve the equation cos 2a = sin a, for – Π $\leq$ a< Π

Solution: Let’s use the double angle formula cos 2a = 1 − 2 sin2 a

It becomes 1 − 2 sin2 a = sin a

2 sin2 a + sin a − 1=0,

Let’s factorise this quadratic equation with variable sinx

(2 sin a − 1)(sin a + 1) = 0

2 sin a − 1 = 0 or sin a + 1 = 0

sin a = 1/2 or sin a = −1

To check other mathematical formulas and examples, visit BYJU’S.

#### Practise This Question

The final stable community in ecological succession is: