It’s those trig identities those simple trig identities
You won’t believe they’re easy, but its true
It’s just those trig identities, the mathematic entities
That makes you want to see a problem through.

1) Start with reciprocals, there’s only 6.
Remember S’s will never mix.
Then there are quotients only 2,
now here is what you do
Sine over cosine is the tan, reciprocate it if you can
(repeat the chorus)

2) Pythagorean, you’ll find there’s 3
Sine-squared plus cosine-squared is one you see
Tan-squared plus one is secant-squared
There’s just one more now if you dare
Cosecant-squared’s cot-squared plus one
Do trig ID’s they’re so much fun.
(repeat chorus)

3) Double angles they come up next
Forget it—find them inside your text
They’re not worth time to memorize
Besides they’re brutal on your eyes
But when you use them you will find
Your perseverance muscle thrives
(chorus)

Speevak/Garvey
February 2000