Explanation:
To prove that: (2cosA+1) (2cosA-1) = 2cos2A+1
We try to solve one side of the equation to get the other side of the equation.
In this case, we'll solve the right hand side (2cos2A + 1) of the equation with the aim of getting the left hand side of the equation (2cosA + 1)(2cosA - 1)
Solving the right hand side: 2cos2A + 1
i. We know that cos2A = cos(A+A) = cosAcosA - sinAsinA
Therefore;
cos2A = cos²A - sin²A
ii. We also know that: cos²A + sin²A = 1
Therefore;
sin²A = 1 - cos²A
iii. Now re-write the right hand side by substituting the value of cos2A as follows;
2cos2A + 1 = 2(cos²A - sin²A) + 1
iv. Expand the result in (iii)
2cos2A + 1 = 2cos²A - 2sin²A + 1
v. Now substitute the value of sin²A in (ii) into the result in (iv)
2cos2A + 1 = 2cos²A - 2(1 - cos²A) + 1
vi. Solve the result in (v)
2cos2A + 1 = 2cos²A - 2 + 2cos²A + 1
2cos2A + 1 = 4cos²A - 2 + 1
2cos2A + 1 = 4cos²A - 1
2cos2A + 1 = (2cosA)² - 1²
vii. Remember that the difference of the square of two numbers is the product of the sum and difference of the two numbers. i.e
a² - b² = (a+b)(a-b)
This means that if we put a = 2cosA and b = 1, the result from (vi) can be re-written as;
2cos2A + 1 = (2cosA)² - 1²
2cos2A + 1 = (2cosA + 1)(2cosA - 1)
Since, we have been able to arrive at the left hand side of the given equation, then we can conclude that;
(2cosA + 1)(2cosA - 1) = 2cos2A + 1