I'm doing trigonemetric substitutions

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter afcwestwarrior
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around trigonometric substitutions, specifically the relationship between the variable x and the angle theta in the context of secant and cosine functions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that if x = a sec theta, then theta could be expressed as sec-1 x.
  • Another participant points out the omission of 'a' and suggests rewriting the expression in terms of cosine, indicating that arc cos(...) = theta might be a better form.
  • A question is raised about how to rewrite the expression in terms of cosine, with a suggestion that it might involve 1/cos.
  • A later reply confirms that rewriting it in terms of cosine is indeed correct.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach to express theta, as there are differing suggestions regarding the use of secant and cosine.

Contextual Notes

There may be limitations in the assumptions made about the relationships between the trigonometric functions and the specific forms used, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

afcwestwarrior
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if x=a sec theta would that mean that theta= sec^-1 x
 
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You omitted the 'a'. It's better to re-write this in terms of cos instead, in the form arc cos(...) = theta.
 
how do rewrite it in terms of cos, would it be 1/cos
 
Yes.
 
oh ok
 

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