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I can't seem to figure this out. Is sin 2x = 2sin x ? I know this might be a silly question but I don't know.

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    Please try and use titles which reflect the mathematical content of the question.2012-10-11
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    What if $x=\pi/2$?2012-10-11
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    figured it out thank you for you help :)2012-10-11
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    $\sin 2x \neq 2 \sin x$. Look up "double angle identities"2012-10-11

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The most obvious way to check the validity of a given trigonometric identity is to plug in specific values on both sides of the identity. For example, if you plug in $ \dfrac{\pi}{2} $ on both sides of the given identity, you get $ 0 $ on the LHS and $ 2 $ on the RHS.

Observe also that the absolute maximum value of $ \sin(2x) $ is $ 1 $, whereas the absolute maximum value of $ 2 \sin(x) $ is $ 2 $.

Furthermore, the period of $ \sin(2x) $ is $ \pi $, whereas the period of $ 2 \sin(x) $ is $ 2 \pi $.

All these indicate that the given trigonometric identity is not valid. The correct identity, of course, is $ \sin(2x) = 2 \sin(x) \cos(x) $.

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No. $\sin(2x)=2\sin x\cos x$. Not that friendly with addition and multiplication..

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No.

For example (using David Mitra's example of $x=\frac{\pi}{2}$): $$\sin\left(2 \times \frac{\pi}{2}\right) = \sin\left({\pi}\right) = 0$$ while $$2 \times \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 2 \times \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right) = 2.$$

A correct expression would be $$ \sin\left(2 x\right) = 2 \sin(x) \cos(x).$$