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Product To Sum Formulas

Product To Sum Formulas

Edited By Komal Miglani | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 07:36 PM IST

The Product to sum formulas in trigonometry are formulas that are used to express the product of sine and cosine functions into the sum and difference of sine and cosine functions. We can apply these formulas to express the product of trigonometric functions into sum and the difference of sine and cosine functions. In real life, we use Product to sum formula to simplify the expression in trignometric functions.

This Story also Contains
  1. What are Product-to-sum/difference formulae?
  2. Product into Sum/Difference Formulas
  3. Proof of Product-to-sum formulae
  4. Solved Example Based on Product to Sum/Difference
Product To Sum Formulas
Product To Sum Formulas

In this article, we will cover the concept of Product into Sum/Difference. This category falls under the broader category of Trigonometry, which is a crucial Chapter in class 11 Mathematics. It is not only essential for board exams but also for competitive exams like the Joint Entrance Examination(JEE Main) and other entrance exams such as SRMJEE, BITSAT, WBJEE, BCECE, and more.

What are Product-to-sum/difference formulae?

The Product formula is used to express the Product of sine and cosine functions into the sum or difference of sine and cosine functions. The sum and difference formulas of sine and cosine functions are added or subtracted to derive these identities. The product-to-sum identities can be used to simplify the trigonometric expression.

Product into Sum/Difference Formulas

Product-to-sum formulas provide a powerful tool for simplifying trigonometric expressions involving products of sines and cosines, and the product to sum formulas are:

1. $2 \cos \alpha \cos \beta=[\cos (\alpha-\beta)+\cos (\alpha+\beta)]$
2. $2 \sin \alpha \sin \beta=[\cos (\alpha-\beta)-\cos (\alpha+\beta)]$
3. $2 \sin \alpha \cos \beta=[\sin (\alpha+\beta)+\sin (\alpha-\beta)]$
4. $2 \cos \alpha \sin \beta=[\sin (\alpha+\beta)-\sin (\alpha-\beta)]$

where, $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are two angles of a triangle
1) $2 \cos \alpha \cos \beta=\cos (\alpha-\beta)+\cos (\alpha+\beta)$

This formula involves the conversion of the product of cosine functions of two different angles into a sum of the cosine angle.
2) $2 \sin \alpha \sin \beta=\cos \left(\alpha-\beta\right)-\cos \left(\alpha+\beta\right)$

This formula involves the conversion of the product of sine functions of two different angles into a difference in the cosine angle.
3) $2 \sin \alpha \cos \beta=\sin (\alpha+\beta)+\sin (\alpha-\beta)$

This formula involves the conversion of the product of sine and cosine functions of two different angles into a sum of the sine angle.
4) $2 \cos \alpha \sin \beta=\sin \left(\alpha{+} \beta\right)-\sin (\alpha-\beta)$

This formula involves the conversion of the product of sine and cosine functions of two different angles into a different of sine angle.

Proof of Product-to-sum formulae

sin (A + B) = sin A cos B + cos A sin B ... (1)
sin (A - B) = sin A cos B - cos A sin B ... (2)
cos (A + B) = cos A cos B - sin A sin B ... (3)
cos (A - B) = cos A cos B + sin A sin B ... (4)

1. Deriving the formula sin A cos B = (1/2) [ sin (A + B) + sin (A - B) ]

Adding the equations (1) and (2), we get

sin (A + B) + sin (A - B) = 2 sin A cos B

Dividing both sides by 2,

sin A cos B = (1/2) [ sin (A + B) + sin (A - B) ]

2. Deriving the formula cos A sin B = (1/2) [ sin (A + B) - sin (A - B) ]

Subtracting (2) from (1),

sin (A + B) - sin (A - B) = 2 cos A sin B

Dividing both sides by 2,

cos A sin B = (1/2) [ sin (A + B) - sin (A - B) ]

3. Deriving the formula cos A cos B = (1/2) [ cos (A + B) + cos (A - B) ]

Adding the equations (3) and (4), we get

cos (A + B) + cos (A - B) = 2 cos A cos B

Dividing both sides by 2,

cos A cos B = (1/2) [ cos (A + B) + cos (A - B) ]

4. Deriving the formula sin A sin B = (1/2) [ cos (A - B) - cos (A + B) ]

Subtracting (3) from (4),

cos (A - B) - cos (A + B) = 2 sin A sin B

Dividing both sides by 2,

sin A sin B = (1/2) [ cos (A - B) - cos (A + B) ]

Product of cosines

$
\begin{array}{r}
\cos \alpha \cos \beta+\sin \alpha \sin \beta=\cos (\alpha-\beta) \\
+\cos \alpha \cos \beta-\sin \alpha \sin \beta=\cos (\alpha+\beta) \\
\hline 2 \cos \alpha \cos \beta=\cos (\alpha-\beta)+\cos (\alpha+\beta)
\end{array}
$


Product of sine and cosine

$
\begin{gathered}
\sin (\alpha+\beta)=\sin (\alpha) \cos (\beta)+\cos (\alpha) \sin (\beta) \\
+\sin (\alpha-\beta)=\sin (\alpha) \cos (\beta)-\cos (\alpha) \sin (\beta) \\
\hline \sin (\alpha+\beta)+\sin (\alpha-\beta)=2 \sin (\alpha) \cos (\beta)
\end{gathered}
$


Product of cosine

$
\begin{gathered}
\cos (\alpha-\beta)=\cos \alpha \cos \beta+\sin \alpha \sin \beta \\
-\quad \cos (\alpha+\beta)=-(\cos \alpha \cos \beta-\sin \alpha \sin \beta) \\
\hline \cos (\alpha-\beta)-\cos (\alpha+\beta)=2 \sin \alpha \sin \beta
\end{gathered}
$

Recommended Video Based on Product to Sum/Difference


Solved Example Based on Product to Sum/Difference

Example 1: The value of $
\cos \left(\frac{2 \pi}{7}\right)+\cos \left(\frac{4 \pi}{7}\right)+\cos \left(\frac{6 \pi}{7}\right)
$ is equal to? [JEE MAINS 2022]
Solution:

Using Summation of cosine series

$
\begin{aligned}
\cos \frac{2 \pi}{7}+\cos \frac{4 \pi}{7}+\cos \frac{6 \pi}{7} & =\frac{\sin 3 \times \frac{2 \pi}{2 \times 7}}{\sin \frac{2 \pi}{2 \times 7}} \times \cos \left(\frac{\frac{2 \pi}{7}+\frac{6 \pi}{7}}{2}\right)
\end{aligned} $

$\begin{aligned} & =\frac{\sin \frac{5 \pi}{7}}{\sin \frac{\pi}{7}} \times \cos \frac{4 \pi}{7} \\ & =\frac{\sin \left(\pi-\frac{4 \pi}{7}\right) \cos \frac{4 \pi}{7}}{\sin \frac{\pi}{7}}\end{aligned}$
$
\begin{aligned}
& =\frac{2 \sin \frac{4 \pi}{7} \cos \frac{4 \pi}{7}}{2 \sin \frac{\pi}{7}} \\
& =\frac{\sin \frac{8 \pi}{7}}{2 \sin \frac{\pi}{7}}=-\frac{1}{2}
\end{aligned}
$

Hence the answer is $1 / 2$

Example 2: The value of $\cos ^2 10^{\circ}-\cos 10^{\circ} \cos 50^{\circ}+\cos ^2 50^{\circ}$ is [JEE MAINS 2019]
Solution: $\cos ^2 10^{\circ}-\cos 10^{\circ} \cos 50^{\circ}+\cos ^2 50^{\circ}$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \Rightarrow \frac{1+\cos 20^{\circ}}{2}+\frac{1+\cos 100^{\circ}}{2}-\cos 10^{\circ} \cos 50^{\circ} \\
& \Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}\left[2+\cos 20^{\circ}+\cos 100^{\circ}-2 \cos 10^{\circ} \cos 50^{\circ}\right] \\
& \Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}\left[2+\cos 100^{\circ}+\cos 20^{\circ}-\cos 60^{\circ}-\cos 40^{\circ}\right] \\
& \Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}\left[\frac{3}{2}+2 \cos 60^{\circ} \cdot \cos 40^{\circ}-\cos 40^{\circ}\right] \\
& \Rightarrow \frac{1}{2}\left[\frac{3}{2}+2 \times \frac{1}{2} \cos 40^{\circ}-\cos 40^{\circ}\right]=\frac{3}{4}
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is $3 / 4$

Example 3: If $x+\frac{1}{x}=2 \cos \theta$, then $x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}$ ?
Solution

$
\begin{aligned}
&\left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right)^3=x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}+3 x \cdot \frac{1}{x}\left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right) \quad \because(x+y)^3=x^3+y^3+3 x y(x+y) \\
& x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=\left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right)^3-3 x \cdot \frac{1}{x}\left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right) \quad \text { Given }\left(x+\frac{1}{x}\right)=2 \cos \theta \\
& x^3+\frac{1}{x^3}=(2 \cos \theta)^3-3 \cdot 2 \cos \theta \\
&=2\left[4 \cos ^3 \theta-3 \cos \theta\right] \\
&=2 \cos 3 \theta
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is $2 \cos 3 \theta$


Example 4: The value of $\sin \left(18^{\circ}\right)+\sin \left(72^{\circ}\right)-\sqrt{2} \cos \left(27^{\circ}\right)$ is
Solution

$
\begin{aligned}
& \sin \left(18^{\circ}\right)+\sin \left(72^{\circ}\right)-\sqrt{2} \cos \left(27^{\circ}\right) \\
& =2 \sin \left(45^{\circ}\right) \cos 27^{\circ}-\sqrt{2} \cos \left(27^{\circ}\right) \\
& =0
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is 0.


Example 5: if $\sin (3 x)+\sin (2 x)-\sin (x)=0$, then find the number of solutions in $[0, \pi]$ ?
Solution

$
\Rightarrow \sin (3 x)+\sin (2 x)-\sin (x)=0
$

$
\begin{aligned}
& \Rightarrow \sin (3 x)-\sin (x)+\sin (2 x)=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 2 \sin (x) \cos (2 x)+\sin (2 x)=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 2 \sin (x) \cos (2 x)+2 \sin (x) \cos (x)=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 2 \sin (x)\{\cos (2 x)+\cos (x)=0 \\
& \Rightarrow 2 \sin (x)\left\{2 \cos \left(\frac{3 x}{2}\right) \cos \left(\frac{x}{2}\right)\right\}=0 \\
& \Rightarrow x=0, \frac{\pi}{3}, \pi
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is the 3.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the product-to-sum formula for cos(A)cos(B)?
The product-to-sum formula for cos(A)cos(B) is:
2. What is the product-to-sum formula for sin(A)cos(B)?
The product-to-sum formula for sin(A)cos(B) is:
3. How can product-to-sum formulas be used to simplify trigonometric expressions?
Product-to-sum formulas can simplify trigonometric expressions by converting products into sums or differences. This can make expressions easier to integrate, differentiate, or manipulate algebraically. For example, cos(x)cos(y) can be rewritten as 1/2[cos(x-y) + cos(x+y)], which might be easier to work with in certain contexts.
4. What is the product-to-sum formula for cos(A)sin(B)?
The product-to-sum formula for cos(A)sin(B) is:
5. How can product-to-sum formulas be remembered more easily?
To remember product-to-sum formulas more easily, you can use the following pattern:
6. What are product-to-sum formulas in trigonometry?
Product-to-sum formulas are trigonometric identities that allow us to convert the product of two trigonometric functions into a sum or difference of trigonometric functions. These formulas are useful for simplifying complex trigonometric expressions and solving certain types of equations.
7. Why are product-to-sum formulas important in trigonometry?
Product-to-sum formulas are important because they help simplify complex trigonometric expressions, make integration easier in calculus, and are useful in various applications such as signal processing and physics. They provide a way to transform multiplication of trigonometric functions into addition or subtraction, which is often easier to work with mathematically.
8. How does the product-to-sum formula for sin(A)sin(B) differ from cos(A)cos(B)?
The product-to-sum formula for sin(A)sin(B) is:
9. Can product-to-sum formulas be reversed to create sum-to-product formulas?
Yes, product-to-sum formulas can be reversed to create sum-to-product formulas. For example, the sum-to-product formula for cos(A) + cos(B) is 2cos((A+B)/2)cos((A-B)/2). These reversed formulas are equally important in trigonometry and have their own applications.
10. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the angle addition formulas?
Product-to-sum formulas are closely related to angle addition formulas. In fact, they can be derived from angle addition formulas. For example, the product-to-sum formula for cos(A)cos(B) can be derived by adding the angle addition formulas for cos(A+B) and cos(A-B) and rearranging the terms.
11. Can product-to-sum formulas be applied to functions of different angles?
Yes, product-to-sum formulas can be applied to functions of different angles. In fact, they are most useful when dealing with different angles. For example, cos(A)cos(B) can be converted to a sum involving cos(A+B) and cos(A-B), where A and B are different angles.
12. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of frequency in physics and signal processing?
In physics and signal processing, product-to-sum formulas are crucial for understanding the concept of frequency mixing. When two signals of different frequencies are multiplied (which occurs in many physical systems), the product-to-sum formulas show that the result can be expressed as the sum of two new frequencies: the sum and difference of the original frequencies.
13. How do product-to-sum formulas affect the amplitude of trigonometric functions?
Product-to-sum formulas show that multiplying two trigonometric functions results in a sum of functions with amplitudes that are half of the product of the original amplitudes. For example, if cos(A) and cos(B) both have amplitude 1, their product cos(A)cos(B) becomes a sum of two cosine functions, each with amplitude 1/2.
14. What is the relationship between product-to-sum formulas and trigonometric power reduction formulas?
Product-to-sum formulas are closely related to trigonometric power reduction formulas. For example, the formula for cos²(A) in terms of cos(2A) can be derived from the product-to-sum formula for cos(A)cos(A). This relationship shows how these formulas are interconnected in the broader context of trigonometric identities.
15. How do product-to-sum formulas affect the periodicity of trigonometric functions?
Product-to-sum formulas show that the product of two trigonometric functions with periods P1 and P2 can be expressed as a sum of functions with periods related to P1 and P2. This relationship is important in understanding how combining periodic signals affects the overall periodicity of the result.
16. What is the significance of the factor 1/2 in product-to-sum formulas?
The factor 1/2 in product-to-sum formulas ensures that the equality holds true. It arises from the algebraic manipulation of angle addition formulas when deriving these identities. Without this factor, the formulas would not be mathematically correct.
17. How do product-to-sum formulas help in solving trigonometric equations?
Product-to-sum formulas can help solve trigonometric equations by converting products of trigonometric functions into sums or differences. This transformation can sometimes simplify the equation, making it easier to solve using standard techniques for trigonometric equations.
18. What happens if you apply a product-to-sum formula twice to an expression?
Applying a product-to-sum formula twice to an expression will further break down the trigonometric terms. For example, if you start with cos(A)cos(B)cos(C) and apply the formula twice, you'll end up with a sum of four cosine terms involving various combinations of A, B, and C.
19. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of orthogonality in trigonometric functions?
Product-to-sum formulas demonstrate the orthogonality of trigonometric functions. For example, when you integrate sin(mx)cos(nx) over a full period (where m and n are integers), the product-to-sum formula shows that the result is zero unless m = n. This property is fundamental in Fourier analysis.
20. Can product-to-sum formulas be extended to hyperbolic functions?
Yes, there are analogous product-to-sum formulas for hyperbolic functions. For example, cosh(A)cosh(B) = 1/2[cosh(A+B) + cosh(A-B)]. These formulas have similar structures to their trigonometric counterparts and are useful in hyperbolic geometry and certain areas of physics.
21. What role do product-to-sum formulas play in the derivation of double angle formulas?
Product-to-sum formulas are key in deriving double angle formulas. For instance, the double angle formula for cosine, cos(2A) = cos²(A) - sin²(A), can be derived by applying the product-to-sum formula to cos(A)cos(A) and then using the Pythagorean identity.
22. How can product-to-sum formulas be used to prove trigonometric identities?
Product-to-sum formulas are powerful tools for proving trigonometric identities. They allow you to convert products into sums, which can often be manipulated more easily. By applying these formulas and then simplifying or rearranging terms, you can often show that two seemingly different expressions are equivalent.
23. Can product-to-sum formulas be used with inverse trigonometric functions?
While product-to-sum formulas are primarily used with standard trigonometric functions, they can indirectly assist in simplifying expressions involving inverse trigonometric functions. By converting the argument of an inverse function from a product to a sum, these formulas can sometimes simplify complex inverse trigonometric expressions.
24. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of beats in sound waves?
Product-to-sum formulas provide a mathematical explanation for the phenomenon of beats in sound waves. When two sound waves of slightly different frequencies are combined (multiplied), the product-to-sum formula shows that this can be expressed as the sum of a wave at the average frequency modulated by a low-frequency envelope, which we perceive as beats.
25. What is the significance of product-to-sum formulas in Fourier analysis?
In Fourier analysis, product-to-sum formulas are crucial for understanding how different frequency components interact. They show how multiplying sinusoidal functions (representing different frequencies) results in the sum and difference of those frequencies. This concept is fundamental in analyzing complex waveforms and in signal processing applications.
26. How can product-to-sum formulas be used to simplify multiple angle formulas?
Product-to-sum formulas can simplify the derivation and expression of multiple angle formulas. For example, the triple angle formula for cosine, cos(3A), can be derived by applying the product-to-sum formula to cos(A)cos(2A) and then using the double angle formula for cos(2A).
27. What is the connection between product-to-sum formulas and the concept of modulation in signal processing?
Product-to-sum formulas provide the mathematical basis for understanding modulation in signal processing. When a carrier signal is multiplied by a modulating signal (which is what happens in amplitude modulation), the product-to-sum formulas show how this results in sidebands at the sum and difference of the carrier and modulating frequencies.
28. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of resonance in physics?
Product-to-sum formulas help explain resonance phenomena in physics. When a system is driven by a force that is the product of two sinusoidal functions, these formulas show how this can be expressed as the sum of two driving forces at different frequencies. This helps in understanding how systems can resonate at combination frequencies.
29. Can product-to-sum formulas be generalized to more than two trigonometric functions?
Yes, product-to-sum formulas can be extended to products of more than two trigonometric functions. These generalizations involve more terms and are more complex, but they follow similar principles. For example, the product of three cosine functions can be expressed as a sum of four cosine terms.
30. How do product-to-sum formulas contribute to the study of harmonic analysis?
Product-to-sum formulas are fundamental in harmonic analysis, as they show how multiplying harmonic functions (sines and cosines) results in new harmonic components. This is crucial for understanding how complex waveforms can be decomposed into simpler harmonic components, which is the essence of harmonic analysis.
31. What role do product-to-sum formulas play in the theory of trigonometric interpolation?
In trigonometric interpolation, product-to-sum formulas are useful for simplifying the products of trigonometric basis functions that often arise. They help in understanding how different frequency components interact in the interpolation process and can lead to more efficient computational methods.
32. How can product-to-sum formulas be used to derive other trigonometric identities?
Product-to-sum formulas serve as a foundation for deriving many other trigonometric identities. For example, they can be used to derive sum-to-product formulas, power reduction formulas, and even some versions of the angle addition formulas. By manipulating these basic identities, many more complex identities can be established.
33. What is the significance of product-to-sum formulas in the context of trigonometric substitution in integration?
In trigonometric substitution for integration, product-to-sum formulas can sometimes simplify the integrand after substitution. By converting products of trigonometric functions into sums, these formulas can transform a difficult integral into a sum of simpler integrals, making the overall integration process more manageable.
34. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of interference in wave physics?
Product-to-sum formulas provide a mathematical explanation for interference patterns in wave physics. When two waves are superposed (which mathematically involves multiplying their functions), these formulas show how this results in new wave components that can interfere constructively or destructively, depending on their relative phases.
35. Can product-to-sum formulas be applied to complex exponentials, and if so, how?
Yes, product-to-sum formulas can be applied to complex exponentials. In fact, they are closely related to the properties of complex exponentials. For example, the product of two complex exponentials e^(iA) and e^(iB) is equal to e^(i(A+B)), which is analogous to the product-to-sum formulas for trigonometric functions.
36. How do product-to-sum formulas contribute to the understanding of amplitude modulation in communication systems?
Product-to-sum formulas are crucial in understanding amplitude modulation (AM) in communication systems. They show that when a carrier wave is multiplied by a modulating signal (which is what AM does), the result can be expressed as the sum of the carrier frequency and two sideband frequencies. This explains the characteristic spectrum of AM signals.
37. What is the relationship between product-to-sum formulas and the convolution theorem in signal processing?
Product-to-sum formulas are related to the convolution theorem in signal processing. While the convolution theorem states that multiplication in the time domain is equivalent to convolution in the frequency domain, product-to-sum formulas show how this multiplication results in new frequency components. Both concepts are fundamental in understanding how signals combine and interact.
38. How can product-to-sum formulas be used to simplify expressions involving powers of trigonometric functions?
Product-to-sum formulas can simplify expressions with powers of trigonometric functions by allowing you to express these powers as sums of trigonometric functions of multiple angles. For example, cos²(A) can be written as (1 + cos(2A))/2 using the product-to-sum formula for cos(A)cos(A).
39. What is the significance of product-to-sum formulas in the context of trigonometric series?
In trigonometric series, product-to-sum formulas are valuable for understanding how different terms in the series interact when multiplied. They show how products of terms at different frequencies result in new frequency components, which is crucial for analyzing the behavior of truncated series and understanding convergence properties.
40. How do product-to-sum formulas relate to the concept of frequency mixing in nonlinear systems?
Product-to-sum formulas provide a mathematical explanation for frequency mixing in nonlinear systems. When a nonlinear system multiplies input signals (which is a common nonlinear operation), these formulas show how new frequency components at the sum and difference of the input frequencies are generated, explaining the phenomenon of intermodulation.
41. Can product-to-sum formulas be used to simplify trigonometric expressions involving rational functions?
Yes, product-to-sum formulas can be useful in simplifying trigonometric expressions involving rational functions. By converting products in the numerator or denominator into sums, these formulas can sometimes lead to cancellations or further simplifications that wouldn't be apparent in the original form of the expression.
42. How do product-to-sum formulas contribute to the study of trigonometric polynomials?
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