Exercise 1573Algebra › Complex numbersOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026 Product formula for cosines #product formula#cosines#trigonometric StatementUsing complex numbers, express cosθcos2θcos4θ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\thetacosθcos2θcos4θ in terms of sines. HintUse cosx=(eix+e−ix)/2\cos x=(e^{ix}+e^{-ix})/2cosx=(eix+e−ix)/2 and 2sinxcosx=sin2x2\sin x\cos x=\sin 2x2sinxcosx=sin2x repeatedly, or note cosθcos2θcos4θ=sin8θ8sinθ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}cosθcos2θcos4θ=8sinθsin8θ. Show solutionHide solutionSolutionIdentity. We use repeatedly 2cosxsinx=sin2x2\cos x\sin x=\sin 2x2cosxsinx=sin2x, i.e. cosx=sin2x2sinx\cos x=\frac{\sin 2x}{2\sin x}cosx=2sinxsin2x:cosθ=sin2θ2sinθ,cos2θ=sin4θ2sin2θ,cos4θ=sin8θ2sin4θ.\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}.cosθ=2sinθsin2θ,cos2θ=2sin2θsin4θ,cos4θ=2sin4θsin8θ.Product. cosθcos2θcos4θ=sin8θ8sinθ.\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}.cosθcos2θcos4θ=8sinθsin8θ.Conclusion. cosθcos2θcos4θ=sin8θ8sinθ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\frac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}cosθcos2θcos4θ=8sinθsin8θ.