Proving Trigonometric Identity: cosx/1-sinx + 1-sinx/cosx = 2secx + 2tanx

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the trigonometric identity cosx/(1-sinx) + (1-sinx)/cosx = 2secx + 2tanx. Participants note that the left-hand side simplifies to 2secx, but the right-hand side does not match, leading to confusion about the validity of the identity. One contributor suggests that the original equation may have been copied incorrectly, as testing with a specific value shows differing results. The consensus is that the equation may not be an identity, and clarification is needed on whether the task was to prove an identity or solve an equation. The conversation highlights the importance of accurately transcribing mathematical problems for successful resolution.
brianlane24
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cosx/1-sinx + 1-sinx/cosx = 2secx + 2tanx
I can get to 2secx + tanx - tanx, any help is appreciated
 
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Type out all the working you have done, if you do not do that, then we won't know where you've reached and how to help you go towards the end result of the proof.
 
(cosx)/(1-sinx) x (1+sinx)/(1+sinx) + (1-sinx)/(cosx) x (cosx)/(cosx)
(cosx+sinxcosx)/(1-sin^2x) + (cosx-sinxcosx)/cos^2x
(cosx/cos^2x)+(sinxcosx/cos^2x) + cosx/cos^2x - (sinxcosx/cos^2x)
1/cosx + sinx/cosx + 1/cosx - sinx/cosx
2secx
 
I've tried both sides and can only get 2secx on the LHS and 2cosx/(1-sinx) on the RHS...the problem is written down correctly right?
 
I'm fairly certain, that is what the worksheet said,
 
When I worked from the RHS, i got to
(2cosx/1-sin^2x) + (2sinxcosx/1-sin^2x)
 
Nevermind, thank you, my teacher wrote down the wrong question
 
It's no wonder you can't prove it: The equation you gave is not an identity. I tried it with a specific value of x, pi/4, for which sin(pi/4) = sqrt(2)/2 = cos(pi/4), and tan(pi/4) = 1.

The value on the left side was 2sqrt(2), and on the right it was 2sqrt(2) + 2.

Are you sure that:
  1. you copied the equation correctly?
  2. you weren't supposed to solve the equation rather than prove it was an identity?
 
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