(1 + cot + tan )(sin - cos ) whole upon sin^3 - cosec^3

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a trigonometric equation involving cotangent, tangent, sine, and cosine functions, specifically the expression \((1 + \cot + \tan)(\sin - \cos)\) divided by \(\sin^3 - \csc^3\) and its supposed equivalence to \(\sin^2 \cos^2\). Participants are attempting to verify the validity of this equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants question the correctness of the original equation, suggesting that it may have been miscopied. Others explore the implications of proving versus solving the equation, noting that certain values of \(\theta\) lead to inconsistencies between the left and right sides of the equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants expressing differing views on the validity of the equation. Some have provided counterexamples to support their claims, while others maintain that the equation is correct as stated. There is a recognition that proving the equation as an identity may not be possible, but solving it for specific values of \(\theta\) could be feasible.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the assumption that the equation is presented accurately, despite some skepticism regarding its validity. The distinction between proving an identity and solving an equation is a key point of contention in the discussion.

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(1 + cot + tan )(sin - cos ) whole upon sin^3 - cosec^3 = sin^2cos^2

prove this . ( assume theta is front of all functions ) , i don't know where to start :/
 
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I spent quite a long time working on that and then realized I had miscopied it!
And I wonder if you haven't miscopied it! Because what you have written cannot be proven- it is not true. If you take [itex]\theta= \pi/4[/itex] radians or 45 degrees, then [itex]sin(\theta)= cos(\theta)= \sqrt{2}/2[/itex] so that [itex]sin(\theta)- cos(\theta)= 0[/itex] and the numerator on the left is 0. We need to check that [itex]sin^3(\theta)- cosec^3(\theta)= 2^{3/2}/8- 8/2^{3/2}[/itex] is not 0. Since it is not the left side is 0. But the right side is [itex]sin^2(\theta)cos^2(\theta)= \frac{1}{2}\frac{1}{2}= \frac{1}{4}[/itex], NOT 0.

Perhaps you miscopied? While I didn't finish, if the denominator were [itex]sin^3- cos^3[/itex] rather than [itex]sin^3- cosec^3[/itex], my counter-example would not work.
 
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no , i rechecked the question , it is correct and can be solved according to the publisher ( i called customer care )
 


sambarbarian said:
no , i rechecked the question , it is correct and can be solved according to the publisher ( i called customer care )

What HallsofIvy is saying is that it can't be proven because it is not true. Whether some so-called customer care said so or not, it doesn't change the fact that mathematically they're not equivalent.

Just a couple of questions, is this what the problem says?

Prove that
[tex]\frac{(1+\cot \theta+\tan \theta)(\sin\theta - \cos\theta)}{\sin^3\theta-\csc^3\theta}=\sin^2\theta\cos^2\theta[/tex]

If it is, then it can't be proven because there exist values of [itex]\theta[/itex] such that the left-hand side does not equal to the right-hand side.

However, if the problem asked to solve rather than to prove, then we have a different question entirely. When the problem asks to solve for [itex]\theta[/itex] what it's essentially asking is to find all the value(s) of [itex]\theta[/itex] such that the left-hand side does equal the right-hand side. For example, [itex]\theta=0[/itex] satisfies the equality.
 


yes , that is correct , but if it can't be solved , I am sorry, thank you for your time .
 


sambarbarian said:
but if it can't be solved

It can be solved, but not proven to be an identity :wink:

You can solve [itex]x^2-2x+1=0[/itex] but you cannot prove that [itex]x^2-2x+1=0[/itex] because that implies that for every value of x, [itex]x^2-2x+1=0[/itex] which is untrue.

You can prove that [itex]\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1[/itex] which means if you solve for [itex]\theta[/itex] you'll find that [itex]\theta[/itex] can be any value to satisfy the condition that [itex]\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1[/itex]
 


"Prove this" means "prove that this equation is correct for all x". That is not possible because it is not true as I said above. "Solve this equation" means find those particular values of x for which the equation is true. Is that what your problem asks you to do?
 

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