Examples on Mathematical induction: Trigonometry

Created by Mr. Francis Hung

1.

(a)
(b)
(a)

(b)

Last updated: May 29, 2014

(k + 1) = sin (k + 1) sin (k + 2) .
k
sin
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
sin 2 (n + 1)x sin 2 nx
for all positive integer n.
Prove that sin x + sin 2x + + sin nx =
sin 12 x
(k + 1)

k
LHS = sin(k + 1) sin + sin
sin
2
2
2
1
1
3
1 1

= cos k + cos k + cos k + cos
2
2
2 2
2

2
1
3
1
= cos k + cos
2
2
2
(k + 1) sin (k + 2) =RHS
= sin
2
2
sin 12 (1 + 1)x sin 12 x
n = 1, LHS = sin x, RHS =
= sin x
sin 12 x
LHS = RHS, it is true for n = 1.
sin 12 (k + 1)x sin 12 kx
Suppose sin x + sin 2x + + sin kx =
sin 12 x
Add sin (k+1)x to both sides,
LHS = sin x + sin 2x + + sin kx + sin (k+1)x
sin 12 (k + 1)x sin 12 kx
= sin (k+1)x +
sin 12 x
sin (k + 1)x sin 12 x + sin 12 (k + 1)x sin 12 kx
=
sin 12 x
sin 12 (k + 1)x sin 12 (k + 2)x
(by (a))
=
sin 12 x
= RHS
If it is true for n = k then it is also true for n = k + 1.
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer n.
Prove the identity: sin(k + 1) sin

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+ sin

Page 1

Trigonometry
2.

Mr. Francis Hung

sin (n + 12 )x
1
+ cos x + cos 2x + + cos nx =
for all positive integer n.
2
2 sin 12 x
1
n = 1, LHS = + cos x
2
sin (1 + 12 )x sin ( 32 )x
RHS =
=
2 sin 12 x
2 sin 12 x

Prove that

3 sin 12 x 4 sin 3 12 x
2 sin 12 x

3 4 sin 2 12 x
2
3 2(1 cos x )
=
2
1 + 2 cos x
= LHS
=
2
It is true for n = 1.
sin (k + 12 )x
1
Suppose + cos x + cos 2x + + cos kx =
for some positive integer k.
2
2 sin 12 x
When n = k + 1,
1
LHS = + cos x + cos 2x + + cos kx + cos (k+1)x
2
sin (k + 12 )x
= cos (k+1)x +
2 sin 12 x
2 cos(k + 1)x sin 12 x + sin (k + 12 )x
=
2 sin 12 x
sin (k + 32 )x sin (k 12 )x + sin (k + 12 )x
=
2 sin 12 x
sin (k + 1 + 12 )x
=
= RHS
2 sin 12 x
If it is true for n = k then it is also true for n = k + 1.
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer n.
1999 Paper 2 Q12
(a) Prove, by mathematical induction, that
sin 2n
cos + cos 3 + cos 5 + + cos(2n 1) =
.
2 sin
where sin 0, for all positive integers n.

(b) Using (a) and the substitution = x , or otherwise,

2
sin 6 x
show that sin x sin 3x + sin 5x =
, where cos x 0.
2 cos x
=

3.

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Page 2

Trigonometry
4.

5.

Mr. Francis Hung

x 1
x
x
x
1
1
1
tan + 2 tan 2 + L + n tan n = n cot n cot x where xm for n = 1,2,
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
2 x
1 tan 2 1
2 tan
x 1
x
Note that tan 2 =

cot
x
=
= cot tan ...............(*)
2
x
2
2 2
2
1 tan
2 tan 2

Prove that

1
x
n = 1, LHS = tan
2
2
x
1
RHS = cot cot x
2
2
= LHS by (*)
It is true for n = 1.
1
1
1
x 1
x
x
x
Suppose tan + 2 tan 2 + L + k tan k = k cot k cot x
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
1
x 1
x
1
x
1
x
When n = k + 1, LHS = tan + 2 tan 2 + L + k tan k + k +1 tan k +1
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
x
x
1
1
= k +1 tan k +1 + k cot k cot x
2
2
2
2
1 1
x 1
x
= k tan k +1 + k cot k cot x
2 2
2
2
2
1 1
x
x 1
x
= k cot k +1 cot k + k cot k cot x , by (*)
2 2
2
2 2
2
1
x
= k +1 cot k +1 cot x = RHS
2
2
It is also true for n = k + 1
By the principle of mathematical induction, the formula is true for all positive integer n.
n
n
1
1
Prove that cot 1 (2r 2 ) = tan 1 (2n + 1) = tan 1 2 for all positive integer n.
4
2r
r =1
r =1
1
1
cot =
cot1 x = tan1
tan
x
n
n
1
cot 1 (2r 2 ) = tan 1 2
2r
r =1
r =1
1
2n + 1 1
n
tan 1 (2n + 1) = tan 1 (2n + 1) tan 1 1 = tan 1
= tan 1
1 + 2n + 1
n +1
4
n
n
1
. for all positive integers n.
Let P(n) tan 1 2 = tan 1
n +1
2r
r =1
1
1
1
n = 1, tan 1 2 = tan1 = RHS
2r
2
r =1
k
k
1
Suppose tan 1 2 = tan 1
k +1
2r
r =1
k +1
k
1
k
1
1
1
n = k + 1, tan 1 2 = tan 1 2 + tan1
= tan 1
+ tan1
2
2
k +1
2(k + 1)
2(k + 1)
2r r =1
2r
r =1

2
kk+1 + 2(k1+1)2
= tan 1 (k + 1) 2k + 2k + 1 = tan 1 k + 1
= tan 1
1 (kk+1) 1 2
2 k 3 + 6 k 2 + 5k + 2
k+2
2 ( k +1)

It is also true for n = k + 1. By MI, the formula is true for all positive integer n.

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Trigonometry
6.
6.

Mr. Francis Hung

d n sin x
n

= sin x +
for all positive integer n.
n
dx
2

dy

n = 1,
= cos x = sin x + , it is true for n = 1
dx
2

Prove that

dky
k

= sin x + for some positive integer k.

k
2
dx

k +1
d y
k

(k + 1)
= cos x + = sin x +
, it is also true for n = k + 1
k +1
2
2
dx

dny
n

By the principle of mathematical induction,

= sin x + for n = 1, 2, 3,
n
2
dx

Suppose

7.

Prove that cos 2 x cos 2 2 x Lcos 2 n x =

n = 1, LHS = cos 2x, RHS =
=

sin 2 n+1 x
, where sin 2x 0 for all positive integer n.
2 n sin 2 x

sin 4 x
2 sin 2 x
2 sin 2 x cos 2 x
2 sin 2 x

= cos 2x = LHS
It is true for n = 1
Suppose it is true for n = k, where k is a positive integer.
sin 2 k +1 x
...........(*)
2 k sin 2 x
When n = k + 1, LHS = cos 2x cos 22 x cos 2k x cos 2k+1 x
i.e. cos 2x cos 22 x cos 2k x =

sin 2 k +1 x
cos 2k+1 x by (*)
2 k sin 2 x

2 sin 2 k +1 x cos 2 k +1 x
2 k +1 sin 2 x

sin 2 k + 2 x
= RHS
2 k +1 sin 2 x
It is also true for n = k + 1
=

By the principle of mathematical induction, the formula is true for all positive integer n.

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Page 4

Trigonometry
8.

(a)

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove that sin( +

k 1
k

2k + 1
) sin
+ sin sin( + k) = [cos( ) cos( +
)]
2
2
2
2
2
2

Hence prove that sin( +

(b)

k +1
k 1
k

) sin
+ sin sin( + k) = sin( +
)sin
2
2
2
2
2

Prove by mathematical induction that

sin + sin( + ) + + sin[+(n 1)] =

(a)

(b)

sin [ + ( n21 ) ]sin n2

sin 2

k 1
k

) sin
+ sin sin( + k)
2
2
2
1
2k 1

1
2k + 1
2k 1
= [cos( +
) cos( )] [cos( +
) cos( +
)]
2
2
2
2
2
2
1

2k + 1
= [cos( ) cos( +
)]
2
2
2
k 1
k

) sin
+ sin sin( + k)
sin( +
2
2
2
1
2k + 1

= [cos( +
) cos( )]
2
2
2
1
k
k +1
= (2)[sin( +
) sin( +
)]
2
2
2
k +1
k
= sin( +
)sin

2
2
sin sin 2
= sin
n = 1, LHS = sin , RHS =
sin 2
It is true for n = 1.
Suppose it is true for n = k.
sin [ + ( k21 ) ]sin k2
i.e. sin + sin( + ) + + sin[+(k 1)] =
...........(*)
sin 2
When n = k + 1,
LHS = sin + sin( + ) + + sin[+(k 1)] + sin (+ k )
sin [ + ( k21 ) ]sin k2
=
+ sin (+ k ) by (*)
sin 2

sin( +

sin [ + ( k21 ) ]sin k2 + sin 2 sin ( + k )

sin 2

sin ( + k2 )sin k 2+1

by (a)
sin 2
= RHS
Hence it is also true for n = k + 1
By the principle of induction, the statement is true for all positive integer n.
=

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Page 5

Trigonometry
9.

(a)

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove that cos

(k + 1)
2n 1

Hence show that cos

(b)

sin

k
(2k + 3) sin ]
2(k + 1)

1
+ cos
= [sin
sin
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1 2
2n 1
2n 1

(k + 1)
2n 1

sin

k
(k + 2) sin (k + 1)
2(k + 1)

+cos
= cos
sin
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

Prove by mathematical induction on m that

2
4
2m
cos
+ cos
+ + cos
=
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(c)
(a)

Hence find the value of cos

cos

(k + 1)
2n 1

sin

cos

(m + 1) sin
2n 1
sin

2n 1

m
2n 1 .

2
4
2(n 1)
+ cos
+ + cos
.
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

k
2(k + 1)

+ cos
sin
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(2k + 1) sin + sin (2k + 3) sin (2k + 1) ]

1
= [sin
2
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(2k + 3) sin ]
1
= [sin
2
2n 1
2n 1
cos

(k + 1)
2n 1

sin

k
2(k + 1)

+ cos
sin
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(2k + 3) sin ] = cos (k + 2) sin (k + 1)

1
= [sin
2
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
(b)

2
m = 1, LHS = cos
, RHS =
2n 1

cos

sin
2n 1 2n 1 = cos 2

2n 1
sin
2n 1

It is true for m = 1.
Suppose it is true for m = k, where k is a positive integer.
2
4
2k
i.e. cos
+ cos
+ + cos
=
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

cos

(k + 1) sin
2n 1
sin

2n 1

k
2n 1 .

When m = k + 1,
LHS = cos
cos
=

2
4
2k
2(k + 1)
+ cos
+ + cos
+ cos
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(k + 1) sin

k
2n 1
2n 1 + cos 2(k + 1) by induction assumption

2n 1
sin
2n 1

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Page 6

Trigonometry

Mr. Francis Hung

cos

(k + 1) sin

cos

(k + 2) sin (k + 1)

2n 1

(c)

2(k + 1)
k

+ cos
sin
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

sin
2n 1

2n 1

sin
2n 1

2n 1

by (a)

= RHS
Hence it is also true for m = k + 1
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer m.
Put m = n 1,
cos
cos
=

sin
=

2
4
2(n 1)
+ cos
+ + cos
2n 1
2n 1
2n 1

(n 1)
n
sin
2n 1
2n 1

sin
2n 1
(2n 1) sin
2n 1

2 sin

2n 1

2n 1

2n 1

2 sin
2n 1

sin sin
=

2n 1
=

2 sin
2n 1
0 sin

1
2

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Page 7

Trigonometry
10.

(a)

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove by mathematical induction that for any positive integer n,

sin sin 3 + sin 5 ..... + (1)n+1 sin(2n 1) =

(b)
11.

( 1)n+1 sin 2n , where cos 0.

2 cos

Using (a), or otherwise, find the general solution of

sin sin 3 + sin 5 ..... + (1)n+1 sin(2n 1) = 0

Given sin 0, and n is a positive integer.
(a)

Express the product of sin cos 2k as a sum or difference of two trigonometric

functions in terms of k and .

(b)

Without using mathematical induction, show that

(c)

(i)

sin cos 2 + sin cos 4 + sin cos 6 + + sin cos 2n =

(ii)

cos 2 + cos 4 + cos 6 + + cos 2 n =

1
[sin (2n + 1) sin ] ;
2

cos (n + 1) sin n
.
sin

Hence or otherwise, prove that

sin 2 + sin 2 2 + sin 2 3 + + sin 2 n =

(Given that sin 2 A =

n sin n cos(n + 1)

2
2 sin

1 cos 2 A
)
2

(a)

sin cos 2k =

(b)

(i)

1
[sin(2k + 1) sin(2k 1)]
2

sin cos 2 + sin cos 4 + sin cos 6 + + sin cos 2n

= 1 (sin 3 sin ) + 1 (sin 5 sin 3 ) + 1 (sin 7 sin 5 ) + + 1 [sin( 2n + 1) sin ]
2

=
(ii)

1
[sin(2n + 1) sin ]
2

cos 2 + cos 4 + cos 6 + + cos 2n=

sin(2n + 1) sin
2 sin

cos(n + 1) sin n
sin
2
2
sin + sin 2 + sin 2 3 + L + sin 2 2n
1 cos 2
1 cos 4
1 cos 6
1 cos 2n
+
+
++
=
2
2
2
2
n cos 2 + cos 4 + cos 6 + L + cos 2n
=
2
2
n cos(n + 1) sin n
=
2
2 sin
=

(c)

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Page 8

Trigonometry
25.

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove , by mathematical induction, that for all positive integers n,

sin (n + 12 )x sin 12 x
cos x + cos 2x + cos 3x + + cos nx =
where sin 12 x 0.
2 sin 12 x
n = 1, LHS = cos x
sin (1 + 12 )x sin 12 x sin ( 32 )x sin 12 x
=
RHS =
2 sin 12 x
2 sin 12 x
=

3 sin 12 x 4 sin 3 12 x sin 12 x

2 sin 12 x

3 4 sin 2 12 x 1
2
2 2(1 cos x )
=
2
2 cos x
=
= LHS
2
It is true for n = 1.
=

Suppose cos x + cos 2x + + cos kx =

sin (k + 12 )x sin 12 x
for some positive integer k.
2 sin 12 x

When n = k + 1,
LHS = cos x + cos 2x + + cos kx + cos (k+1)x
sin (k + 12 )x sin 12 x
+ cos (k+1)x
=
2 sin 12 x
sin (k + 12 )x sin 12 x + 2 cos(k + 1)x sin 12 x
=
2 sin 12 x
=
=

sin (k + 12 )x + sin (k + 32 )x sin (k + 12 )x sin 12 x

2 sin 12 x

sin (k + 1 + 12 )x sin 12 x
= RHS
2 sin 12 x

If it is true for n = k then it is also true for n = k + 1.

By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer n.

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Page 9

Trigonometry
26.

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove , by mathematical induction, that for all positive integers n,

sin (n + 1)x sin nx sin x
where cos x 1.
sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + + sin nx =
2(cos x 1)
n = 1, LHS = sin x
sin (1 + 1)x sin x sin x
RHS =
2(cos x 1)
2 sin x cos x 2 sin x
=
2(cos x 1)
2 sin x(cos x 1)
=
2(cos x 1)
= sin x = LHS
Suppose it is true for some positive integer k. i.e.
sin (k + 1)x sin kx sin x
sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + + sin kx =
for some positive integer k.
2(cos x 1)
When n = k + 1,
LHS = sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + + sin kx + sin (k + 1)x
sin (k + 1)x sin kx sin x
+ sin (k + 1)x (by induction assumption)
=
2(cos x 1)
sin (k + 1)x sin kx sin x + 2(cos x 1)sin (k + 1)x
=
2(cos x 1)
sin (k + 1)x sin kx sin x + 2 cos x sin (k + 1)x 2 sin (k + 1)x
=
2(cos x 1)
sin kx + 2 sin (k + 1)x cos x sin (k + 1)x sin x
=
2(cos x 1)
sin kx + sin (k + 2 )x + sin kx sin (k + 1)x sin x
=
2(cos x 1)
sin (k + 2 )x sin (k + 1)x sin x
=
= RHS
2(cos x 1)
If it is true for n = k then it is also true for n = k + 1.
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer n.

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Page 10

Trigonometry
27.

Mr. Francis Hung

Prove , by mathematical induction, that for all positive integers n,

1 cos 2nx
where sin x 0.
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x + + sin (2n 1)x =
2 sin x
n = 1, LHS = sin x
1 cos 2 x
RHS =
2 sin x
1 1 2 sin 2 x
=
2 sin x
= sin x = LHS
It is true for n = 1.
Suppose it is true for some positive integer k. i.e.
1 cos 2kx
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x + + sin (2k 1)x =
2 sin x
When n = k + 1,
LHS = sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x + + sin (2k 1)x + sin (2k + 1)x
1 cos 2kx
=
+ sin (2k + 1)x (induction assumption)
2 sin x
1 cos 2kx + 2 sin (2k + 1)x sin x
=
2 sin x
1 cos 2kx [cos(2k + 2 )x cos 2kx]
=
2 sin x
1 cos(2k + 2 )x
=
= RHS
2 sin x
If it is true for n = k then it is also true for n = k + 1.
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer n.

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Page 11