Euler's Identity
Mathematics · FE Reference Handbook section
Core formulas for this FE topic
Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.
Worked exam-style examples
The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.
A surveyor applies a trigonometric identity to combine two bearing angles. Given angle A (A) = 45.0000 deg; angle B (B) = 28.0000 deg, determine the cos(A-B) (R).
Given
Find
cos(A-B) (R)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 1 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for cos(A-B) — Euler's Identity
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.9563 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.9126 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4782 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.0519 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
An analyst uses a trig identity to simplify a phase-difference calculation. Given angle B (B) = 23.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.8710, determine the angle A (A) in deg.
Given
Find
angle A (A), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 2 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle A — Euler's Identity (2)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for A:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning A = 52.4249 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 104.8 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 26.2125 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 57.6674 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A student verifies a trigonometric identity by substituting numeric angles. Given angle A (A) = 49.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.6510, determine the angle B (B) in deg.
Given
Find
angle B (B), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except B is given, so isolate B symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 3 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle B — Euler's Identity (3)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for B:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning B = -0.3830 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -0.7659 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -0.1915 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -0.4213 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A surveyor applies a trigonometric identity to combine two bearing angles. Given angle A (A) = 44.0000 deg; angle B (B) = 33.0000 deg, determine the cos(A-B) (R).
Given
Find
cos(A-B) (R)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 4 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for cos(A-B) (case 2) — Euler's Identity (4)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.9816 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.9633 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4908 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 1.0798 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
An analyst uses a trig identity to simplify a phase-difference calculation. Given angle B (B) = 29.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.8550, determine the angle A (A) in deg.
Given
Find
angle A (A), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 5 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle A (case 2) — Euler's Identity (5)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for A:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning A = 60.2403 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 120.5 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 30.1201 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 66.2643 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A student verifies a trigonometric identity by substituting numeric angles. Given angle A (A) = 64.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.2910, determine the angle B (B) in deg.
Given
Find
angle B (B), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except B is given, so isolate B symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 6 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle B (case 2) — Euler's Identity (6)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for B:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning B = -9.0822 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- -18.1643 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- -4.5411 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- -9.9904 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A surveyor applies a trigonometric identity to combine two bearing angles. Given angle A (A) = 53.0000 deg; angle B (B) = 25.0000 deg, determine the cos(A-B) (R).
Given
Find
cos(A-B) (R)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 7 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for cos(A-B) (case 3) — Euler's Identity (7)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.8829 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.7659 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.4415 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.9712 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
An analyst uses a trig identity to simplify a phase-difference calculation. Given angle B (B) = 15.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.2390, determine the angle A (A) in deg.
Given
Find
angle A (A), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 8 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle A (case 3) — Euler's Identity (8)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for A:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning A = 91.1725 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 182.3 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 45.5862 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 100.3 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A student verifies a trigonometric identity by substituting numeric angles. Given angle A (A) = 47.0000 deg; cos(A-B) (R) = 0.9680, determine the angle B (B) in deg.
Given
Find
angle B (B), in deg
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except B is given, so isolate B symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 9 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for angle B (case 3) — Euler's Identity (9)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for B:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning B = 32.4663 deg to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 64.9325 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 16.2331 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 35.7129 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities
A surveyor applies a trigonometric identity to combine two bearing angles. Given angle A (A) = 75.0000 deg; angle B (B) = 27.0000 deg, determine the cos(A-B) (R).
Given
Find
cos(A-B) (R)
Start with the thinking
- The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Trigonometric identities — angle difference.
- Everything except R is given, so isolate R symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
- Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
- The trigonometric identity for the cosine of an angle difference relates A, B, and their combined cosine value.
Figure 10 — schematic for Trigonometric identities — angle difference — solve for cos(A-B) (case 4) — Euler's Identity (10)
Step-by-step solution
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for R:
Step 3
Step 4 — Substitute the given values:
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning R = 0.6691 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
Why the other options are there
- 1.3383 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
- 0.3346 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
- 0.7360 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.
Reference: FE Handbook — Trigonometric Identities