Proving Trigonometric Identities

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on proving various trigonometric identities, with the user expressing difficulty in manipulating the equations effectively. They mention converting identities to sine and cosine for simplification but struggle to achieve equality on both sides. Clarification is sought on the proper notation for certain expressions, particularly regarding parentheses in the identities. A suggestion is made to avoid converting to sine and cosine initially for one of the problems, recommending the use of tangent sum and difference formulas instead. Overall, the user seeks assistance in their attempts to prove the identities.
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Homework Statement


1) sin(x+y)sin(x-y)=cos^2y-cos^2x

2) tan(∏⁄4+x)+tan(∏/4-x)=2sec2x

3) cosx-cosy=-2sin(x+y/2)sin(x+y/2)

4) 2cotx-2tanx=4-2sec^2x/tanx

Homework Equations


all trig identities

The Attempt at a Solution


1) i understand that i should show what i have attempted but there is way too many lines of manipulating the equations and i don't have the time to write it down. i can say that for all of these identities i have changed them to cos and sin as these can be the easiest to solve and then used trig identities to make both sides look the same. i have nt had any luck with these and i was hoping you guys could help me

thx alot!
 
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3) cosx-cosy=-2sin(x+y/2)sin(x+y/2)
Is it (x+y)/2 or x+(y/2)?
4) 2cotx-2tanx=4-2sec^2x/tanx
Again... is it (4-2sec^2x)/tanx or 4-(2sec^2x/tanx)?
1) i understand that i should show what i have attempted but there is way too many lines of manipulating the equations and i don't have the time to write it down. i can say that for all of these identities i have changed them to cos and sin as these can be the easiest to solve and then used trig identities to make both sides look the same. i have nt had any luck with these and i was hoping you guys could help me
Sorry, you'll have to make time to write what you have so far if you want us to help. I'll give you one suggestion -- in #2, don't convert to cosines and sines as your first step. Too messy. Instead, use the tangent sum & difference formulas.01
 
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I picked up this problem from the Schaum's series book titled "College Mathematics" by Ayres/Schmidt. It is a solved problem in the book. But what surprised me was that the solution to this problem was given in one line without any explanation. I could, therefore, not understand how the given one-line solution was reached. The one-line solution in the book says: The equation is ##x \cos{\omega} +y \sin{\omega} - 5 = 0##, ##\omega## being the parameter. From my side, the only thing I could...
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