The Pythagorean Identity is a fundamental relation in trigonometry relating the square of the sine and cosine functions of an angle. It is derived from the Pythagorean theorem when applied to the unit circle[1]. The identity can also be visualized as the two lengths that divide the radius into two smaller right triangles[2], as shown below.
To derive the Pythagorean identity the definition of Pythagorean's theorem is combined with the notion of a right triangle placed on the unit circle.
To geometrically derive the Pythagorean identity, divide the right triangle into two similar triangles by drawing a line from the right angle corner of the right-triangle perpendicular to its hypotenuse. Then solve for each triangle's length on the hypotenuse.
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Derive Pythagorean Identity Example
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Derive Pythagorean Identity (Unit Circle) Example