$$\sin^4 \alpha + 2\cos^2 \alpha - \cos^4 \alpha = (\sin^2 \alpha)^2 + 2\cos^2 \alpha - (\cos^2 \alpha)^2 = (1 - \cos^2 \alpha)^2 + 2\cos^2 \alpha - \cos^4 \alpha = 1 - 2\cos^2 \alpha + \cos^4 \alpha + 2\cos^2 \alpha - \cos^4 \alpha = 1$$
Тождество доказано