Question 174478
cos^4x-sin^4x=cos(2x)... Start with the given equation.



(cos^2(x))^2-(sin^2(x))^2=cos(2x) ... Factor cos^4x into (cos^2(x))^2. Factor sin^4x into (sin^2(x))^2.



((1+cos(2x))/2)^2-((1-cos(2x))/2)^2=cos(2x) ... Use the power reducing identities




((1+cos(2x))/2+(1-cos(2x))/2)((1+cos(2x))/2-(1-cos(2x))/2)=cos(2x) ... Factor the left side using the difference of squares formula




(2/2)((2cos(2x))/2)=cos(2x) ... Combine the fractions and like terms.



cos(2x)=cos(2x) ... Reduce. So this verifies the identity