Can You Simplify csc(θ) - sin(θ) to cos(θ)cot(θ)?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the trigonometric identity involving csc(θ) and sin(θ), specifically whether csc(θ) - sin(θ) can be simplified to cos(θ)cot(θ). Participants are exploring the manipulation of trigonometric functions and identities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to manipulate the expression by substituting csc(θ) with 1/sin(θ) and finding a common denominator. There are questions about how to effectively start the proof and concerns about the flow of the manipulation process.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on finding a common denominator and recognizing identities, while others express uncertainty about their approach. The discussion reflects a mix of attempts and suggestions without a clear consensus on the method to be used.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of imposed homework rules that may limit the types of manipulations participants can consider. Some participants express feeling stuck or unsure about their progress.

lwelch70
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csc(theta) - sin(theta) = cos(theta)*cot(theta)

I'm supposed to write a proof for this but to be honest I'm not really sure where I should even start. The prof taught to take one side of the equation and simply manipulate each part into its equivalent until the other side of the equation was reached (if that makes sense). I just can't seem to get it flowing.
 
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Some work I'm trying,

I know that csc(theta) = 1/sin(theta). But if I substitute for this I simply get [1/sin(theta)] - sin(theta). I'm just really stuck and could use a start as to how to go about proving this.
 
actually this identity isn't that challenging

as you said csc = 1/sin *i'm not going to keep saying theta, you should know it's there

so then you'll have 1/sin - sin, find common denominator by just multiplying sin by sin/sin to get (1 - sin^2)/sin

1-sin^2 is just cos^2, so know you have (cos^2)/sin, which is just cos(cot)

understand?
 
Muliply both sides by some thing that will make it look more familiar.
 
physicsman2 said:
actually this identity isn't that challenging

as you said csc = 1/sin *i'm not going to keep saying theta, you should know it's there

so then you'll have 1/sin - sin, find common denominator by just multiplying sin by sin/sin to get (1 - sin^2)/sin

1-sin^2 is just cos^2, so know you have (cos^2)/sin, which is just cos(cot)

understand?

iamthegelo said:
Muliply both sides by some thing that will make it look more familiar.

Okay guys, that helps me out a lot. I guess I was on the right track I'm just too out of it to realize that I needed to multiply to get a common denominator. Thanks again for the guidance
 
no problem all it takes is some manipulation and knowledge of other identities to get these
 

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