Express \(cos4 \theta\) in powers of \(cos \theta\)
\begin{align}
Let \: z & = (cos 4 \theta + i sin 4 \theta) \quad \quad \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{1}} \\
& Then\ by\ deMoivre's\ Theorem \\
z & =(cos \theta + isin \theta)^4 \quad \quad \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{2}} \\
\\
& Using\ the\ binomial\ expansion\ of\ equation \quad \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{2}}\\
z & = cos^4 \theta +4cos^3\theta \; isin\theta + 6cos^2 \theta \; i^2sin^2 \theta +4cos \theta \;i^3sin^3 \theta + i^4sin^4 \theta \quad \quad \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{3}}\\
& Separating\ real\ and\ imaginary\ parts \\
Re(z) & = cos^4 \theta -6cos^2 \theta sin^2 \theta + sin^4 \theta \\
Im(z) & = 4cos^3\theta\ isin\theta -4cos\theta isin^3\theta \\
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& Equating\ real\ parts\ of\ \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{1}}\ and\ \enclose{circle}{\color{black}{3}}\\
cos4\theta & = cos^4\theta - 6cos^2\theta sin^2\theta + sin^4\theta \\
& = cos^4\theta - 6cos^2\theta(1-cos^2\theta)+(1-cos^2\theta)^2 \quad \quad(by\ substitution)\\
& = cos^4\theta -6cos^2\theta +6cos^4\theta +1 -2cos^2\theta + cos^4 \theta \\
& = 8cos^4\theta - 8cos^2 \theta + 1
\end{align}