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cos^(4)alpha-sin^(4)alpha=cos 2alpha

cos4αsin4α=cos2α \cos ^{4} \alpha-\sin ^{4} \alpha=\cos 2 \alpha

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Q. cos4αsin4α=cos2α \cos ^{4} \alpha-\sin ^{4} \alpha=\cos 2 \alpha
  1. Recognize identity: Recognize the identity to be used.\newlineWe can use the Pythagorean identity sin2(α)+cos2(α)=1\sin^2(\alpha) + \cos^2(\alpha) = 1 and the double angle formula for cosine, which is cos(2α)=cos2(α)sin2(α)\cos(2\alpha) = \cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha).
  2. Express in squared terms: Express cos4αsin4α\cos^{4}\alpha - \sin^{4}\alpha in terms of squared terms.\newlineWe can rewrite the expression as (cos2(α))2(sin2(α))2.(\cos^{2}(\alpha))^{2} - (\sin^{2}(\alpha))^{2}.
  3. Apply difference of squares: Apply the difference of squares formula. The difference of squares formula is a2b2=(a+b)(ab)a^2 - b^2 = (a + b)(a - b). Applying this to our expression, we get (cos2(α)+sin2(α))(cos2(α)sin2(α))(\cos^2(\alpha) + \sin^2(\alpha))(\cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha)).
  4. Substitute Pythagorean identity: Substitute the Pythagorean identity into the expression.\newlineSince sin2(α)+cos2(α)=1\sin^2(\alpha) + \cos^2(\alpha) = 1, we can replace the first part of the product with 11, resulting in 1×(cos2(α)sin2(α))1 \times (\cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha)).
  5. Simplify the expression: Simplify the expression.\newlineSimplifying the expression, we get cos2(α)sin2(α)\cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha).
  6. Recognize double angle formula: Recognize the double angle formula for cosine. The double angle formula for cosine is cos(2α)=cos2(α)sin2(α)\cos(2\alpha) = \cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha).
  7. Compare with double angle formula: Compare the simplified expression with the double angle formula.\newlineWe see that cos2(α)sin2(α)\cos^2(\alpha) - \sin^2(\alpha) is indeed the double angle formula for cosine, which is cos(2α)\cos(2\alpha).
  8. Conclude the original expression: Conclude that the original expression is equal to the double angle formula.\newlineTherefore, cos4αsin4α\cos^{4}\alpha - \sin^{4}\alpha is equal to cos2α\cos 2\alpha.

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