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View Full Version : prove tan x + cot x / csc x= sec x


bsnellg
Dec 2, 2013, 02:03 PM
i was wondering how you prove this equation

ebaines
Dec 2, 2013, 02:22 PM
As usual with these types of problems your first step is to convert the tan, cot, sec, and csc functions into their sin and cos equivalents. Then it's a matter of simplifying and looking for opportunities to apply other well-known identities such as sin^2x + cos^2x = 1.

By the way, what you wrote is this:

tan x + \frac {cot x}{csc x} = sec x.

but I'm pretty sure what you actually meant is this:

\frac {tan x + cot x}{csc x} = sec x

Please use parentheses to avoid confusion.

neodarwinian
Dec 2, 2013, 03:29 PM
Not a real equation but an identity.

Use your identities on the inside of the text cover and follow the other answer that was given.