Geometric Discovery of sin(a+b) and cos(a+b) (Solution)

Geometric Discovery of sin(a+b) and cos(a+b) (Solution)
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2015-09-21 09:11
In collections Trigonometric Identities
This GeoGebra example demonstrates a geometric discovery and solution for the addition formulas sin(a+b) and cos(a+b). It uses rays, points, angles, orthogonal lines, intersections, rotations, lines, and segments to build auxiliary right triangles and projection relationships, revealing how the sine and cosine of a sum can be expressed through component angles. The construction emphasizes trigonometric identities, angle composition, perpendicular projections, and dynamic geometric reasoning. It is suitable for high school trigonometry lessons, inquiry-based mathematics activities, GeoGebra demonstrations, and visual proofs of addition formulas.

GeoGebra Commands & Parameters

  1. Ray(A, C) → a
  2. Ray(A, D) → c
  3. Intersect(a, b) → E
  4. OrthogonalLine(E, a) → d
  5. Angle(B, A, E) → α
  6. Angle(E, A, D) → β
  7. Point(d) → F
  8. Angle(F, E, A) → γ
  9. Rotate(D, α, E) → D'
  10. Intersect(d, c) → G
  11. Line(G, xAxis) → e
  12. Intersect(f, yAxis) → H
  13. Intersect(e, f) → I
  14. Intersect(b, e) → J
  15. Segment(G, E) → g
  16. Segment(I, G) → h
  17. Segment(G, J) → i
  18. Segment(J, E) → j
  19. Segment(E, B) → k
  20. Segment(I, A) → l
  21. Segment(A, E) → m
  22. Segment(A, G) → n
  23. Intersect(b, c) → M
  24. Angle(M, E, G) → δ
  25. Segment(A, B) → q
  26. Angle(I, G, A) → ε
  27. Angle(A, I, G) → ζ
  28. Angle(G, J, E) → η
  29. Angle(E, B, A) → θ