I proving two Trig identities

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving two trigonometric identities involving secant, cosecant, tangent, and cotangent functions. Participants are exploring various algebraic manipulations and substitutions to simplify the expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest changing all terms to sine and cosine, distributing factors, and combining like terms. There are discussions about verifying steps by substituting values to check for errors. Some participants question the validity of intermediate results and seek clarification on the relationships between the identities.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various approaches being discussed. Some participants have provided guidance on how to manipulate the expressions, while others are still working through their reasoning and checking assumptions. There is no explicit consensus yet, as different interpretations and methods are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are encouraged to attempt their own work before receiving solutions, and there is an emphasis on understanding the underlying identities and relationships in trigonometry.

xxiangel
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1. Cos x (sec x + cos x csc^2 x) = csc^2 x

I got as far as this... 1 + cos^2 + cos/sin^2 = csc^2

2. tan x(sin x + cot x cos x) = sec x
 
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1. Change everything on the left into terms of cos and sin. Then distribute the cosx, after that try to combine anything you can, change anything you can to tanx, etc.

2. Again, change everything you can into sin and cos first, then distribute.

A few of the most important things to keep in mind are, when you are done with simplifying things and whatnot, if something is a fraction, combine the terms. In such trig identities, one of the most used basic definitions is tanx=sinx/cosx
 
Last edited:
xxiangel said:
I got as far as this... 1 + cos^2 + cos/sin^2 = csc^2
Well, you made a mistake somewhere. Substitute in some random angle and you can see that this is not true.
 
hey you, i got this
cosX(secX+cosXcsc^2X)=csc^2x
just solve the left side
cosX[(1/cosX)+(cosx/sin^2X)]=csc^2X
then multiply ,so...
cosX(1/cosX)+cosX(cosX/sin^2X)=csc^2X
1+cot^2X=csc^2X
since 1+cot^2X one of the trig identity which equals
to csc^2X, problem solved
 
For the future, mrtkawa, have the original poster attempt his/her own work instead of providing the full solution.
 
I was able to solve this till 1+cot^2 = Csc^2 , but do you just use pythagorean identity to fine the identity or what? How are these two equal?
 
for 2.

change everything to cos and sin

SinX/CosX[SinX + CosX/SinX(CosX)] = 1/Cosx

work inside the bracket now.

Cosx/sinx(cosx) = cos^2x/sinx
SinX + Cos^2x/Sinx Now get common denominators
you should notice something and be able to work from there.
 

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