MHB Prove trig identity (cot x -1)/(cot x +1)=(1-sin 2x)/(cos 2x)

  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Identity Trig
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on proving the trigonometric identity (cot x - 1)/(cot x + 1) = (1 - sin 2x)/(cos 2x). Participants work through the algebraic manipulation of the left side, simplifying it to match the right side. A correction is noted regarding the numerator, which should include sin^2(x) instead of just cos^2(x). After adjustments, the identity is confirmed as valid. The final expression shows both sides of the equation are equal, successfully proving the identity.
karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\begin{align*}
\frac{\cot {x}-1}{\cot{x}+1}&=\frac{1-\sin 2x}{\cos 2x}\\
\frac{\cos {x}-\sin x}{\cos{x}+\sin x}
\frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\cos x-\sin x}&= \\
\frac{\cos^2x-2\sin x\cos x+\cos^2 x}{\cos^2 x-\sin^2 x}
\end{align*}$

so far..
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\begin{align*}
\frac{\cot {x}-1}{\cot{x}+1}&=\frac{1-\sin 2x}{\cos 2x}\\
\frac{\cos {x}-\sin x}{\cos{x}+\sin x}
\frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\cos x-\sin x}&= \\
\frac{\cos^2x-2\sin x\cos x+\cos^2 x}{\cos^2 x-\sin^2 x}
\end{align*}$

so far..
Check your numerator. It should be [math]cos^2(x) - 2~sin(x)~cos(x) + sin^2(x)[/math].

Otherwise it's good. :)

-Dan
 
$\begin{align*}
\frac{\cot {x}-1}{\cot{x}+1}&=\frac{1-\sin 2x}{\cos 2x}\\
\frac{\cos {x}-\sin x}{\cos{x}+\sin x}
\frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\cos x-\sin x}&= \\
\frac{\cos^2x-2\sin x\cos x+\sin^2 x}
{\displaystyle cos^2x- sin^2x}=\\
\frac{1-\sin 2x}{\cos 2x}
\end{align*}$

hopefully
 
Yup, you got it. (Yes)

-Dan
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...

Similar threads