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How can I show that this equation is true for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$? $\sin^6x + \cos^6x = 1 - 3\sin^2x \ \cos^2x$

2 Answers 2

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Hint: $\cos^2\varphi+\sin^2\varphi=1$.

Full proof

$ \begin{align*} \sin^2x+\cos^2x=1 &\Leftrightarrow (\sin^2x+\cos^2x)^3=1^3=1\\ &\Leftrightarrow \sin^6 +3\cdot \sin^4x\cdot \cos^4x+3\cdot \sin^2x \cdot \cos^4x+\cos^6x =1\\ &\Leftrightarrow \sin^6x+\cos^6x=1-(3\cdot \sin^4x\cdot \cos^4x+3\cdot \sin^2x \cdot \cos^4x)\\ &\Leftrightarrow \sin^6x+\cos^6x=1-3\cdot \sin^2x\cdot \cos^2x(\sin^2x+\cos^2x) \\ &\Leftrightarrow \sin^6x + \cos^6x = 1 - 3\cdot \sin^2x \cdot \cos^2x \end{align*} $

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    I added full proof since you seem to be having trouble.2012-02-12
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$\begin{align*}\sin^6x + \cos^6x&= (\sin^2x)^3 + (\cos^2x)^3\\&=(\sin^2x + \cos^2x)(\sin^4x -\sin^2x \cdot \cos^2x +\cos^4x) \\&=(\sin^2x+\cos^2x)^2-3 \cdot \sin^2x \cdot \cos^2x\\&=1-3 \cdot \sin^2x \cdot \cos^2x\end{align*}$

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    I am unsure if you don't know this $\TeX$ construct. Please go through the edit.2012-02-12