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Exercise 1573Algebra › Complex numbersOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026

Product formula for cosines

#product formula#cosines#trigonometric

Statement

Using complex numbers, express cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta in terms of sines.

Hint

Use cos⁡x=(eix+e−ix)/2\cos x=(e^{ix}+e^{-ix})/2 and 2sin⁡xcos⁡x=sin⁡2x2\sin x\cos x=\sin 2x repeatedly, or note cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ=sin⁡8θ8sin⁡θ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}.

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Solution

Identity. We use repeatedly 2cos⁡xsin⁡x=sin⁡2x2\cos x\sin x=\sin 2x, i.e. cos⁡x=sin⁡2x2sin⁡x\cos x=\frac{\sin 2x}{2\sin x}:
cos⁡θ=sin⁡2θ2sin⁡θ,cos⁡2θ=sin⁡4θ2sin⁡2θ,cos⁡4θ=sin⁡8θ2sin⁡4θ.\cos\theta=\frac{\sin2\theta}{2\sin\theta},\quad \cos2\theta=\frac{\sin4\theta}{2\sin2\theta},\quad \cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{2\sin4\theta}.

Product.
cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ=sin⁡8θ8sin⁡θ.\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}.

Conclusion. cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ=sin⁡8θ8sin⁡θ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}.