Help needed with Verifying Trigonometric Functions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around verifying several trigonometric identities involving secant, cosecant, tangent, and cotangent functions. The original poster expresses difficulty in understanding the verification process and seeks assistance with the identities presented.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest converting trigonometric functions into sine and cosine to simplify the identities. There are mentions of using algebraic identities, such as the difference of squares and the Pythagorean identity, to aid in the verification process. The original poster is encouraged to share their previous attempts for better guidance.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints and formulas that may assist in the verification of the identities. The conversation includes various approaches to tackle the problems, but there is no explicit consensus on a single method or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

The original poster indicates frustration with their teacher's ability to explain the material, which may contribute to their difficulty in understanding the verification of the identities.

amd123
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Homework Statement



[tex]\frac{secx-cscx}{secx+cscx}=\frac{tanx-1}{tanx+1}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{(tan^{2}x - cot^{2}x)}{(tanx + cotx)}= (tanx - cotx)[/tex]

[tex]tan^{2}2x+sin^{2}2x+cos^{2}2x=sec^{2}2x[/tex]

[tex]cot^{2}2x+cos^{2}2x+sin^{2}2x=csc^{2}2x[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution


I've tried many times in my notebook and I'm posting these on hear as a last resort. Could someone please explain how these are done as my teacher LACKS the ability to teach.
 
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i am assuming you are trying to prove these identities, right?

Well, show us what you have done so far. For the first one LHS, try to convert all of them into sin and cos, and after that see if you will get any tan's in there.

another helpful formula for the second one is

[tex]a^2-b^2=(a-b)(a+b)[/tex]

Another helpful identity, which you shoul know, is:

[tex]sin^2(H)+cos^2(H)=1[/tex]

Combine all these, and you will do fine!
 
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/8479/scan0004d.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9265/scan0005o.jpg
sorry that took so long my scanner sometimes doesn't want to scan stuff that's not in dark ink
 
Last edited by a moderator:
[tex]\frac{(tan^{2}x - cot^{2}x)}{(tanx + cotx)}= (tanx - cotx)[/tex]

now what u need to do is

tan^2x-cot^2x=(tanx-cotx)(tanx+cotx), i already provided u with this formula.
Now only simplify out.

On the 3rd and 4th use the fact that

[tex]sin^2(2x)+cos^2(2x)=1[/tex] and also the def. of tan. in terms of cos and sine.
 
[tex]tan^22x+1=\frac{sin^22x}{cos^22x}+1=..[/tex] find the common denominator and then u are done


Do the same thing for cot.
 
thanks for the help :D
 

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