How to simplify 1/(cos^4x+sin^4x)

1. Dec 6, 2009

color_me

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Simplify 1/(cos^4x+sin^4x)

2. Relevant equations
One can't apply cosine of a difference when the cosine is raised to a power, right?

3. The attempt at a solution
I tried using several trig identities, but it doesn't get any simpler.

Thank you for any help in advance!

2. Dec 6, 2009

rock.freak667

try replacing sin2x with 1-cos2x or the other way around.

3. Dec 7, 2009

singular

Try starting with the fundamental identity $$sin^{2}x + cos^{2}x=1$$. Square both sides and foil. This might get messy, but if you keep all your terms in order you will be in good shape. Next, look for your $$sin^{4}x$$ and $$cos^{4}x$$ values. You want to isolate them on one side and have the other terms on the other side. Now, you have to go to work with the other trig identities on the rest of the terms. I was able to do it product identities. In the end, you should have $$sin^{4}x+cos^{4}x=something$$. The last step is to plug this in to your original equation $$1/sin^{4}x+cos^{4}x$$.

4. Dec 12, 2009

color_me

Thanks for the help! I figured it out.