Students will learn what the power reducing trig identities are, why they're true, and how to use them. Specifically, students will learn how to use the identities to evaluate and simplify expressions. They'll also learn how to use the power reducing formulas to graph \(\sin^2 x\) and \(\cos^2 x.\) Before attempting this section, students should be very good at graphing sine and cosine under transformations. Students should also know the various forms of the double angle identity for cosine.
Conclude by giving your students these challenges:
- Triangles Within Squares by NRICH
- Round and Round and Round by NRICH
- Changing Areas, Changing Perimeters by NRICH
- Big and Small Numbers in Chemistry by NRICH