Prove that sin 40° + sin 20° = cos 10°

Prove that: \[ \sin 40^\circ + \sin 20^\circ = \cos 10^\circ \]

Solution

Using the identity:
\[ \sin A + \sin B = 2 \sin \frac{A+B}{2} \cos \frac{A-B}{2} \]
Taking
\[ A = 40^\circ,\qquad B = 20^\circ \]
Then,
\[ \sin 40^\circ + \sin 20^\circ = 2 \sin \frac{40^\circ+20^\circ}{2} \cos \frac{40^\circ-20^\circ}{2} \]
\[ = 2 \sin \frac{60^\circ}{2} \cos \frac{20^\circ}{2} \]
\[ = 2 \sin 30^\circ \cos 10^\circ \]
\[ = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} \times \cos 10^\circ \]
\[ = \cos 10^\circ \]
Hence,
\[ \boxed{ \sin 40^\circ + \sin 20^\circ = \cos 10^\circ } \]

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