Solving Identities Homework: Proving 1/1+sinx=sec2x - tanx/cosx

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a trigonometric identity involving sine, secant, and tangent functions. The original poster expresses difficulty in manipulating the equation and seeks assistance in proving the identity: 1/(1 + sin(x)) = sec^2(x) - tan(x)/cos(x).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various approaches to rewriting the identity, including using conjugates and expressing secant and tangent in terms of sine and cosine. There are attempts to clarify the notation and confirm the correct interpretation of the terms involved.

Discussion Status

Multiple interpretations of the identity are being explored, with participants providing feedback on each other's attempts. Some guidance has been offered regarding the manipulation of terms, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

There is confusion regarding the notation used for secant and cosine, particularly whether it refers to sec^2(x) or cos^2(2x). Participants are also grappling with the implications of their algebraic manipulations and the correctness of their expressions.

ritagogna
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Homework Statement



hey i really need some ones help i need to prove these 2 identities. I am in grade 12 and I've been working on these questions for almost 2 hours and keep failing pleasezz help
b. 1/1+sinx = sec2x - tanx/cosx


Homework Equations



-secx=1/cosx
-tanx=sinx/cosx
-sin2x+cos2x=1
-cscx=1/sinx

The Attempt at a Solution


So i tried proving the identity and got stuck...
i picked one side which was 1/1+sinx
then i got the conjugate
=1/1+sinx(1-sinx/1-sinx)
=1-sinx(1/sinx)
and this is where i have no idea what to do because i need to make it equal to sec2x-tanx/cosx
 
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By sec2x do you mean sec2x? If so, the equation is \frac{1}{1+sinx}=sec^2x-\frac{tanx}{cosx}.

Now, my advice would be to write out tanx and secx in terms of cosx and sinx. Then multiply the equation to get rid of the denominators. Try this and post what you get.
 
ritagogna said:
=1/1+sinx(1-sinx/1-sinx)

I take it that you mean:

\frac{1}{1+\sin(x)}\frac{1-\sin(x)}{1-\sin(x)}

=1-sinx(1/sinx)

I'm not sure of how you got this (or even of how to read it!), but it definitely looks wrong. You should multiply across the top and across the bottom in my expression above. Try that, and post what you get.
 
so i worked it out and I am pretty sure its 1- sinx/ cosx
 
Nope, the cosine should be squared.
 
no the equation is exacly what cristo got
 
ok so its 1-sinx over cos2x
 
ritagogna said:
no the equation is exacly what cristo got

No, I'm talking about the part of your solution that I quoted.
 
wait no its 1/cos2x-sinx/cosx
 
  • #10
ritagogna said:
ok so its 1-sinx over cos2x

Do you mean cos2(x)? If so, then you're right. But if you mean cos(2x), then you're not right.
 
  • #11
no i mean cos squared 2 x but i still haven't solved the identity and i don't know where to go from here because ill just be making the equation more complicated by converting the identities
 
  • #12
ritagogna said:
no i mean cos squared 2 x

That's wrong. When you multiply 1+\sin(x) by 1-\sin(x), you get 1-\sin^2(x)=\cos^2(x). The argument of the cosine is not 2x.
 

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