Examples on Mathematical induction: Trigonometry

Created by Mr. Francis Hung Last updated: May 29, 2014

1. (a) Prove the identity: sin(k + 1)θ sin

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

(a) LHS = sin(k + 1)θ sin + sin

θ kθ
sin
(k + 1)θ
2 2 2
1  3  1  1  1  θ 
= − cos k + θ − cos k + θ  − cos k + θ − cos − 
2  2  2  2  2  2 
1  3 1 
= − cos k + θ − cos θ 
2  2 2 
= sin
(k + 1)θ sin (k + 2)θ =RHS
2 2
sin 12 (1 + 1)x sin 12 x
(b) 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.

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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

1 sin (n + 12 )x
2. Prove that + 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
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.
1 sin (k + 12 )x
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.
3. 1999 Paper 2 Q12
(a) Prove, by mathematical induction, that
sin 2nθ
cos θ + cos 3θ + cos 5θ + … + cos(2n – 1) θ = .
2 sin θ
where sin θ ≠ 0, for all positive integers n.
π
(b) Using (a) and the substitution θ = − x , or otherwise,
2
sin 6 x
show that sin x – sin 3x + sin 5x = , where cos x ≠ 0.
2 cos x

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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x
4. Prove that tan + 2 tan 2 + L + n tan n = n cot n − cot x where x≠mπ for n = 1,2, …
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
2 tan θ 1 − tan 2 1
2 x
x 1 x
Note that tan 2θ = → cot x = = cot − tan ...............(*)
1 − tan θ
2 x
2 tan 2 2 2 2 2
1 x
n = 1, LHS = tan
2 2
1 x
RHS = cot − cot x
2 2
= LHS by (*)
It is true for n = 1.
1 x 1 x 1 x 1 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
1 x 1 x
= 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.

Prove that ∑ cot −1 (2r 2 ) = tan −1 (2n + 1) − π = ∑ tan −1  2  for all positive integer n.
n
1 n
 1 
5.
r =1 4 r =1  2r 
1 1
cot θ = ⇒ cot–1 x = tan–1  
tan θ  x
∴ ∑ cot −1 (2r 2 ) = ∑ tan −1  2 
n n
 1 
r =1 r =1  2r 
2n + 1 − 1
tan −1 (2n + 1) − π = tan −1 (2n + 1) − tan −1 1 = tan −1
1 n
= tan −1
4 1 + 2n + 1 n +1
n
 1  n
Let P(n) ≡ “ ∑ tan −1  2  = tan −1 .” for all positive integers n.
r =1  2r  n +1
1
 1  1
n = 1, ∑ tan −1  2  = tan–1   = RHS
r =1  2r  2
k
 1  k
Suppose ∑ tan −1  2  = tan −1
r =1  2r  k +1
k +1
 1  k
 1  1 k 1
n = k + 1, ∑ tan −1  2  = ∑ tan −1  2  + tan–1 = tan −1 + tan–1
2(k + 1) k +1 2(k + 1)
2 2
r =1  2r  r =1  2r 
 kk+1 + 2(k1+1)2 
= tan −1 
( 2
)
 = tan −1 (k + 1) 2k + 2k + 1 = tan −1 k + 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 Mr. Francis Hung

d n sin x  nπ 
6. Prove that n
= sin x +  for all positive integer n.
dx  2 
dy  π
6. n = 1, = cos x = sin  x +  , it is true for n = 1
dx  2
dky  kπ 
Suppose k
= sin  x +  for some positive integer k.
dx  2
 (k + 1)π 
k +1
d y  kπ 
= cos x +  = sin  x + , it is also true for n = k + 1
dx k +1
 2  2 
dny  nπ 
By the principle of mathematical induction, n
= sin x +  for n = 1, 2, 3, …
dx  2 
sin 2 n+1 x
7. Prove that cos 2 x cos 2 2 x Lcos 2 n x = , where sin 2x ≠ 0 for all positive integer n.
2 n sin 2 x
sin 4 x
n = 1, LHS = cos 2x, RHS =
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
i.e. cos 2x cos 22 x …… cos 2k x = ...........(*)
2 k sin 2 x
When n = k + 1, LHS = cos 2x cos 22 x …… cos 2k x cos 2k+1 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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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

k −1 kα α 1 α 2k + 1
8. (a) Prove that sin(θ + α) sin + sin sin(θ + kα) = [cos(θ – ) – cos(θ + α)]
2 2 2 2 2 2
k −1 kα α kα k +1
Hence prove that sin(θ + α) sin + sin sin(θ + kα) = sin(θ + )sin α
2 2 2 2 2
(b) Prove by mathematical induction that

sin [θ + ( n2−1 )α ]sin n2α

sin θ + sin(θ + α) + …… + sin[θ+(n – 1)α] =
sin α2

k −1 kα α
(a) sin(θ + α) sin + sin sin(θ + kα)
2 2 2
1 2k − 1 α 1 2k + 1 2k − 1
= – [cos(θ + α) – cos(θ – )] – [cos(θ + α) – cos(θ + α)]
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 α 2k + 1
= [cos(θ – ) – cos(θ + α)]
2 2 2
k −1 kα α
sin(θ + α) sin + sin sin(θ + kα)
2 2 2
1 2k + 1 α
= – [cos(θ + α) – cos(θ – )]
2 2 2
1 kα k +1
= – (–2)[sin(θ + ) sin(θ + α)]
2 2 2
kα k +1
= sin(θ + )sin α
2 2
sin θ sin α2
(b) n = 1, LHS = sin θ, RHS = = sin θ
sin α2
It is true for n = 1.
Suppose it is true for n = k.
sin [θ + ( k2−1 )α ]sin k2α
i.e. sin θ + sin(θ + α) + …… + sin[θ+(k – 1)α] = ...........(*)
sin α2
When n = k + 1,
LHS = sin θ + sin(θ + α) + …… + sin[θ+(k – 1)α] + sin (θ+ k α)
sin [θ + ( k2−1 )α ]sin k2α
= + sin (θ+ k α) by (*)
sin α2
sin [θ + ( k2−1 )α ]sin k2α + sin α2 sin (θ + kα )
=
sin α2
sin (θ + k2α )sin k 2+1 α
= by (a)
sin α2
= 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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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

(k + 1)π kπ 2(k + 1)π π 1 (2k + 3)π − sin π ]

9. (a) Prove that cos sin + cos sin = [sin
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2 2n − 1 2n − 1

Hence show that cos

(k + 1)π sin
kπ
+cos
2(k + 1)π
sin
π
= cos
(k + 2)π sin (k + 1)π
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
(b) Prove by mathematical induction on m that

cos
(m + 1)π sin mπ
2π 4π 2mπ 2n − 1 2n − 1 .
cos + cos + … + cos =
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 π
sin
2n − 1
2π 4π 2(n − 1)π
(c) Hence find the value of cos + cos + … + cos .
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1

(a) cos
(k + 1)π sin
kπ
+ cos
2(k + 1)π
sin
π
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
1
= [sin
(2k + 1)π − sin π + sin (2k + 3)π − sin (2k + 1)π ]
2 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
1
= [sin
(2k + 3)π − sin π ]
2 2n − 1 2n − 1

cos
(k + 1)π sin
kπ
+ cos
2(k + 1)π
sin
π
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
1
= [sin
(2k + 3)π − sin π ] = cos (k + 2)π sin (k + 1)π
2 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
2π π
cos sin
2π 2n − 1 2n − 1 = cos 2π
(b) m = 1, LHS = cos , RHS =
2n − 1 π 2n − 1
sin
2n − 1
It is true for m = 1.
Suppose it is true for m = k, where k is a positive integer.

cos
(k + 1)π sin kπ
2π 4π 2kπ 2n − 1 2n − 1 .
i.e. cos + cos + … + cos =
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 π
sin
2n − 1
When m = k + 1,
2π 4π 2kπ 2(k + 1)π
LHS = cos + cos + … + cos + cos
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
(k + 1)π sin kπ
2n − 1 + cos 2(k + 1)π by induction assumption
cos
= 2n − 1
π 2n − 1
sin
2n − 1

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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

cos
(k + 1)π sin kπ
+ cos
2(k + 1)π
sin
π
= 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1
π
sin
2n − 1

cos
(k + 2)π sin (k + 1)π
= 2n − 1 2n − 1 by (a)
π
sin
2n − 1
= RHS
Hence it is also true for m = k + 1
By the principle of mathematical induction, it is true for all positive integer m.
(c) Put m = n – 1,
2π 4π 2(n − 1)π
cos + cos + … + cos
2n − 1 2n − 1 2n − 1

cos
nπ
sin
(n − 1)π
= 2n − 1 2n − 1
π
sin
2n − 1

sin
(2n − 1)π − sin π
= 2n − 1 2n − 1
π
2 sin
2n − 1

π
sin π − sin
= 2n − 1
π
2 sin
2n − 1

π
0 − sin
= 2n − 1
π
2 sin
2n − 1
1
=−
2

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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

10. (a) Prove by mathematical induction that for any positive integer n,

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

(− 1)n+1 sin 2nθ , where cos θ ≠ 0.
2 cos θ
(b) Using (a), or otherwise, find the general solution of
sin θ – sin 3θ + sin 5θ – ..... + (–1)n+1 sin(2n – 1)θ = 0
11. Given sin α ≠ 0, and n is a positive integer.
(a) Express the product of sin α ⋅ cos 2kα as a sum or difference of two trigonometric
functions in terms of k and α.
(b) Without using mathematical induction, show that

(i) sin α ⋅ cos 2α + sin α cos 4α + sin α cos 6α + ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ + sin α cos 2nα =
1
[sin (2n + 1)α − sin α ] ;
2
cos (n + 1)α ⋅ sin n α
(ii) cos 2 α + cos 4 α + cos 6 α + ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ + cos 2 n α = .
sin α
(c) Hence or otherwise, prove that
n sin nα ⋅ cos(n + 1)α
sin 2 α + sin 2 2α + sin 2 3α + ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ + sin 2 nα = −
2 2 sin α
1 − cos 2 A
(Given that sin 2 A = )
2

(a) sin α ⋅ cos 2kα =

1
[sin(2k + 1)α − sin(2k − 1)α]
2
(b) (i) sin α cos 2α + sin α cos 4α + sin α cos 6α + … + sin α cos 2nα
= 1 (sin 3α − sin α ) + 1 (sin 5α − sin 3α ) + 1 (sin 7α − sin 5α ) + ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ + 1 [sin( 2n + 1)α − sin α ]
2 2 2 2

=
1
[sin(2n + 1)α − sin α]
2
sin(2n + 1)α − sin α
(ii) cos 2α + cos 4α + cos 6α + … + cos 2nα=
2 sin α
cos(n + 1)α ⋅ sin nα
=
sin α
(c) sin α + sin 2α + sin 2 3α + L + sin 2 2nα
2 2

1 − cos 2α 1 − cos 4α 1 − cos 6α 1 − cos 2nα

= + + +…+
2 2 2 2
n cos 2α + cos 4α + cos 6α + L + cos 2nα
= −
2 2
n cos(n + 1)α ⋅ sin nα
= −
2 2 sin α

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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

25. 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.
sin (k + 12 )x − sin 12 x
Suppose cos x + cos 2x + … + cos kx = 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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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

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

sin (n + 1)x − sin nx − sin x
sin x + sin 2x + sin 3x + … + sin nx = where cos x ≠ 1.
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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Trigonometry Mr. Francis Hung

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

1− cos 2nx
sin x + sin 3x + sin 5x + … + sin (2n – 1)x = where sin x ≠ 0.
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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