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-   -   Trig Identities (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=666162)

  • Jun 1, 2012, 02:43 PM
    Allison E
    Trig Identities
    (sec(x)/(sin(x))-(sin(x)/(cos(x))
  • Jun 1, 2012, 03:30 PM
    rosesareblue
    I believe the answer is (1-sin(x))/(sin(x)cos(x)).
  • Jun 1, 2012, 03:37 PM
    rosesareblue
    Whoops. Just double checked my math. Made an error. Here's the REAL answer:

    Sec(x) = 1/cos(x), so ((1/cos(x))/sin(x))-(sin(x)/cos(x))

    Then multiply the first term by cos(x), and get (1/sin(x)*cos(x))-(sin(x)/(cos(x))

    Multiply the second term by sin(x) -> (1/sin(x)*cos(x))-(sin^2(x)/cos(x)*sin(x))

    Since you now have common denominators, you can subtract and get (1-sin^2(x))/(sin(x)*cos(x))

    1-sin^2(x) = cos^2(x), so cos^2(x)/(sin(x)*cos(x))

    Then simplify to cos(x)/(sin(x)), then to cot(x).

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