MHB Prove (tan^2 t−1)/(sec^2 t)=(tan t−cot t)/(tan t+cot t)

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The discussion focuses on proving the identity (tan² t - 1)/(sec² t) = (tan t - cot t)/(tan t + cot t). Participants explore various methods to simplify the expression, with one suggestion being to multiply the numerator and denominator by cot(t). This approach leads to a successful derivation of the identity, confirming that both sides are equal. The conversation emphasizes the desire for a concise solution, ideally in just a few steps. Ultimately, the identity is proven through algebraic manipulation and trigonometric identities.
karush
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show that this is an identity

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
\frac{\tan^2 t -1}{\sec^2 t}
&=\frac{\tan t-\cot t}{\tan t+\cot t}\\
\frac{\tan^2 t -1}{\tan^2 t+1}&=
\end{align*}

OK I continued but I could not derive an equal identity

I saw a solution to this on SYM but it was many steps and got very bloated

there must be some way to do this in like 3 steps?
 
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karush said:
show that this is an identity

\begin{align*}\displaystyle
\frac{\tan^2 t -1}{\sec^2 t}
&=\frac{\tan t-\cot t}{\tan t+\cot t}\\
\frac{\tan^2 t -1}{\tan^2 t+1}&=
\end{align*}

OK I continued but I could not derive an equal identity

I saw a solution to this on SYM but it was many steps and got very bloated

there must be some way to do this in like 3 steps?
[math]\dfrac{tan^2(t) - 1}{tan^2(t) + 1}[/math]

Try multiplying the numerator and denominstor by cot(x).

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
[math]\dfrac{tan^2(t) - 1}{tan^2(t) + 1}[/math]

Try multiplying the numerator and denominstor by cot(x).

-Dan

oh cool!

[math]\dfrac{(tan^2(t) - 1)(\cot t)}{(tan^2(t) + 1)(\cot t)}
=\frac{\frac{\sin^\cancel{2} t}{\cos^\cancel{2} t}\frac{\cancel\cos t}{\cancel\sin t}-\frac{\cos t}{\sin t}}
{\frac{\sin^\cancel{2} t}{\cos^\cancel{2} t}\frac{\cancel\cos t}{\cancel\sin t}+\frac{\cos t}{\sin t}}
=\frac{\tan t-\cot t}{\tan t+\cot t}[/math]
 
karush said:
oh cool!

[math]\dfrac{(tan^2(t) - 1)(\cot t)}{(tan^2(t) + 1)(\cot t)}
=\frac{\frac{\sin^\cancel{2} t}{\cos^\cancel{2} t}\frac{\cancel\cos t}{\cancel\sin t}-\frac{\cos t}{\sin t}}
{\frac{\sin^\cancel{2} t}{\cos^\cancel{2} t}\frac{\cancel\cos t}{\cancel\sin t}+\frac{\cos t}{\sin t}}
=\frac{\tan t-\cot t}{\tan t+\cot t}[/math]
Or simply note that [math]cot(x) \cdot tan^2(x) = tan(x)[/math]. :)

-Dan
 
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