Proving Identity: $\sin^8A-\cos^8A$

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In summary: After that, we can use the identity of $a^2+b^2 = + (a+b)^2 - 2ab$ to get the final expression. In summary, the original equation can be simplified to $(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-\cos^2\left({A}\right)(1-2\sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right))$ by using trigonometric identities.
  • #1
Silver Bolt
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$\sin^8\left({A}\right)-\cos^8\left({A}\right)=(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-\cos^2\left({A}\right)(1-2\sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right))$

$L.H.S=(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-\cos^2\left({A}\right)(1-2\sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right))$

$ =(\sin\left({A}\right)+\cos\left({A}\right)) (\sin\left({A}\right)-\cos\left({A}\right)(\cos^2\left({A}\right)-\sin^2\left({A}\right))^2$

Any ideas?
 
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  • #2
Silver Bolt said:
$\sin^8\left({A}\right)-\cos^8\left({A}\right)=(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-\cos^2\left({A}\right)(1-2\sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right))$

$L.H.S=(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-\cos^2\left({A}\right)(1-2\sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right))$

$ =(\sin\left({A}\right)+\cos\left({A}\right)) (\sin\left({A}\right)-\cos\left({A}\right)(\cos^2\left({A}\right)-\sin^2\left({A}\right))^2$

Any ideas?

$\sin^8\left({A}\right)-\cos^8\left({A}\right)$
= $(\sin^4\left({A}\right)+\cos^4\left({A}\right))(\sin^4\left({A}\right)-\cos^4\left({A}\right)$ using $a^2-b^2= (a+b)(a-b)$
= $(\sin^4\left({A}\right)+\cos^4\left({A}\right))(\sin^2\left({A}\right)+\cos^2\left({A}\right)(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-
\cos^2\left({A}\right))$ using $a^2-b^2= (a+b)(a-b)$
= $(\sin^4\left({A}\right)+\cos^4\left({A}\right))(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-
\cos^2\left({A}\right))$
= $((\sin^2\left({A}\right)+\cos^2\left({A}\right))^2-2 \sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right)(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-
\cos^2\left({A}\right))$ using $a^2+b^2 = + (a+b)^2 - 2ab$
= $((\sin^2\left({A}\right)+\cos^2\left({A}\right))^2-2 \sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right)(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-
\cos^2\left({A}\right))$
= $(1-2 \sin^2\left({A}\right)\cos^2\left({A}\right)(\sin^2\left({A}\right)-
\cos^2\left({A}\right))$

The rational is that we need to reduce the power to squares of sin and cos
 

Related to Proving Identity: $\sin^8A-\cos^8A$

1. What does the expression $\sin^8A-\cos^8A$ represent?

The expression represents the difference between the eighth power of the sine of angle A and the eighth power of the cosine of angle A. In other words, it is the difference between the eighth power of the opposite side and the eighth power of the adjacent side in a right triangle with angle A.

2. How is this expression used to prove identity?

This expression can be used to prove the identity $\sin^2A-\cos^2A=1$, which is a fundamental identity in trigonometry. By factoring the original expression, $\sin^8A-\cos^8A=(\sin^4A-\cos^4A)(\sin^4A+\cos^4A)$, we can substitute $\sin^2A-\cos^2A$ for both parentheses and simplify to get the identity.

3. What is the relationship between $\sin^8A$ and $\cos^8A$?

Since the sine and cosine functions are complementary, meaning they have the same value but with opposite signs at complementary angles, the eighth power of $\sin A$ and $\cos A$ will also be equal but with opposite signs. This is why the expression can be factored as the difference of squares.

4. Can this expression be used to solve for a specific value of A?

No, this expression is an identity and not an equation. It represents a relationship between the sine and cosine functions and is true for all values of A, rather than solving for a specific value.

5. Are there other expressions similar to $\sin^8A-\cos^8A$ that can be used to prove identities?

Yes, there are many expressions involving powers of trigonometric functions that can be used to prove identities. For example, $\sin^2A+\cos^2A=1$ and $\tan^2A+1=\sec^2A$ are commonly used identities in trigonometry.

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