Sine and Cosine Subtraction Formulas
Now, we will try to prove the Sine and Cosine Subtraction Formulas using the Figure 2 below.

ABCD is a quadrilateral such that angle ABC and angle CDA are right angles and angle DAB is acute. X denotes the angle DAB and Y denotes the angle CAB. Thus angle CAD is X-Y.

 


The Sine Subtraction Formula states that

sin(x-y) =sin(x)cos(y) - cos(x)sin(y).


Let's see if we can prove this formula using the Figure 2 above!

 

Therefore, we have proved the Sine Subtraction Formula does, in fact work


Now, let's try proving the Cosine Subtraction Formula.


The Cosine Subtraction Formula states that

cos(x-y) =cos(x)cos(y) + sin(x)sin(y).


 

Now, we have proved that the Cosine Subtraction Formula does work.

 

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