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Triple Angle Identity Calculator

Enter an angle to compute sin(3A), cos(3A), and tan(3A) with step-by-step derivation

Angle A (degrees)

Triple Angle Formulas

sin(3A) = 3 sinA - 4 sin^3A
cos(3A) = 4 cos^3A - 3 cosA
tan(3A) = (3 tanA - tan^3A) / (1 - 3 tan^2A)

Triple-angle identities are derived by applying sum formulas to (2A + A). They reveal elegant patterns that connect trigonometry to algebra, particularly in cubic equation solving.

tan(3A) is undefined when denominator 1 - 3tan^2A = 0, which occurs at tanA = +/- 1/sqrt(3) (A = 30, 150 degrees).

What Are Triple-Angle Identities?

Triple-angle identities express trigonometric functions of 3A in terms of functions of A. They extend the pattern of double-angle formulas and have elegant connections to cubic equations and Chebyshev polynomials.

Sine Triple

sin(3A) = 3sinA - 4sin^3A. Notice the cubic pattern: 3sinA minus 4sin^3A.

Cosine Triple

cos(3A) = 4cos^3A - 3cosA. The opposite sign pattern: 4cos^3A minus 3cosA.

Derivation Path

Use sin(2A+A) with sin2A = 2sinAcosA and cos2A = 2cos^2A-1. Apply Pythagorean identity to simplify.

Cubic Connection

Let x = cosA. Then cos(3A) = 4x^3 - 3x. Solving 4x^3 - 3x = c gives the trigonometric solution of cubics.

Teaching Example: A = 10 degrees. sin10 = 0.1736, cos10 = 0.9848. sin(30) = 3x0.1736 - 4x(0.1736^3) = 0.5208 - 0.0209 = 0.5. cos(30) = 4x(0.9848^3) - 3x0.9848 = 3.819 - 2.954 = 0.866. Matches known values!

Applications

Cubic Equations Harmonic Analysis Signal Processing Physics Waves Calculus Chebyshev Polynomials

FAQs about Triple-Angle Identities

What are triple-angle identities?
sin(3A) = 3sinA - 4sin^3A, cos(3A) = 4cos^3A - 3cosA, tan(3A) = (3tanA - tan^3A)/(1 - 3tan^2A).
How to verify triple-angle formulas?
Test with A=30: sin(90) = 3x0.5 - 4x0.125 = 1.5 - 0.5 = 1. cos(90) = 4x0.65 - 3x0.866 = 2.6 - 2.598 = 0. Works!
How are they related to cubic equations?
Substituting x = cosA into cos(3A) = 4cos^3A - 3cosA gives 4x^3 - 3x = cos(3A). This solves cubics of the form 4x^3 - 3x = c.
What is the tan(3A) formula?
tan(3A) = (3tanA - tan^3A)/(1 - 3tan^2A). Undefined when tanA = +/- 1/sqrt(3), i.e., at A = 30 or 150 degrees.

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