Solve Hard C3 Question: Get Rid of cosec²x - cot²x

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a trigonometric identity involving cosecant and cotangent functions, specifically addressing the expression cosec²x - cot²x. Participants are exploring how to manipulate this expression within the context of a larger problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • One participant attempts to apply the difference of squares to the left-hand side but expresses uncertainty about simplifying cosec²x - cot²x. Others provide identities related to cosecant and cotangent, questioning their relevance and correctness in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing identities and attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem. There is a reminder about the forum's policy against providing direct answers, which suggests a focus on guiding rather than solving.

Contextual Notes

One participant mentions a specific instruction to use a result from a previous part of the problem, indicating that there may be constraints or dependencies on earlier work that are influencing the current discussion.

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im stuck on the top question on part B

i can do the difference of 2 squares on the LHS but how do i get rid of the cosec²x - cot²x ??

Thanks
 
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mis-post, oops!

Edit: Well, as I'm here...

[itex]cosec^2\theta - cot^2\theta = 1[/itex]
[itex]cosec^2\theta + cot^2\theta = -1[/itex]

Well, that's the RHS...

[itex]-cot^4\theta = -cot^2\theta \times cot^2\theta\newline[/itex]
[itex]= (1 - cosec^2\theta)(cosec^2\theta - 1)\newline[/itex]
[itex]= -1 + cosec^2\theta - cosec^4\theta - cosec^2\theta\newline[/itex]Back to the original question!

[itex]cosec^4\theta - cosec^4\theta - 1 = - 1\newline[/itex]
[itex]-1 = -1[/itex]I think that's correct :S

(Hmm, latex is messed up, how do I make a newline?)
 
Last edited:
Use the result in part a) like it told you to.
 
3lliot, please do not give out answers. We offer free help here at PF, not free answers.
 

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