Solving an Equation with Trigonometric Terms

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves solving the equation \((\tan x + \sec x)^2 = \frac{1 + \sin x}{1 - \sin x}\), which includes trigonometric terms. The original poster expresses difficulty in reaching the solution despite initial attempts to manipulate the equation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to expand the equation and interchange terms but struggles to simplify it to the desired form. Some participants suggest rewriting the right-hand side and point out a misunderstanding regarding the definition of secant.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering hints and corrections. There is acknowledgment of a misunderstanding regarding trigonometric identities, and some guidance has been provided to help clarify the approach. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and methods being explored.

Contextual Notes

The original poster notes a constraint that they are supposed to use properties to reach the other side without altering the equation, which adds complexity to their attempts.

sacwchiri
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more trig...

Amm I've been at this problem for an hour already it loooked really easy but for some reason i can't reach the answer
(tan x + sec x)^2 = (1 + sin x)/(1 - sin x)

soo what went and tried was expand it and then exchage tan and sec..

(sin^2 x /cos^2 x )+ (2/cos x) + (1/ sin^2 x)

((sin^2)(sin^2) + (2(sin^2)(cos)) + cos^2)/((sin^2)(cos^2))

((sin^2)(sin^2 + 2cos - 1) + 1)/((sin^2)(1-sin^2))

(sin^2 + 2cos)/(1-sin^2)

and after i get there i njust don't know how to get to the (1 + sin x)/(1 - sin x)

any ideas??

:confused:
 
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you can write

(1 + sin x)/(1 - sin x) = [(1 + sin x)(1 + sin x)]/[(1 + sin x)(1 - sin x)]
 
sacwchiri said:
Amm I've been at this problem for an hour already it loooked really easy but for some reason i can't reach the answer
(tan x + sec x)^2 = (1 + sin x)/(1 - sin x)

soo what went and tried was expand it and then exchage tan and sec..

(sin^2 x /cos^2 x )+ (2/cos x) + (1/ sin^2 x)

Oh, you're wrong from the start... =.="
sec(x) = 1 / (cos(x)), instead of 1 / (sin(x)), as you have written above.
You should re-do the problem, and follow malawi_glenn's hint.

You can also manipulate both sides a the same time, instead of 1 side at 1 time. Like this:
[tex](\tan x + \sec x) ^ 2 = \frac{1 + \sin x}{1 - \sin x}[/tex]
[tex]\Leftrightarrow \left (\tan x + \frac{1}{\cos x} \right) ^ 2 = \frac{(1 + \sin x) ^ 2}{1 - \sin ^ 2 x}[/tex]
<=> ...

Can you go from here? :) It should be easy.
 
ok well after asking arround i got to the answer... thanks for the help but the thing is I am supposed to just use the properties to reach other side... i can't alter it... but i guess is my fault for not specifying... well the way it went was quite tricky and required a property i don't use normally which is tan^2x + 1 = sec^2 x

so using that you get that

2tan x sec x + sec^2x - 1... and one more thing i realized i was using the sec = 1/sin ... ummm opps... but really thanks for the ideas
 

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