Trig Functions Simplified: How to Solve cosx / (1+sinx) | Expert Guide

[mjbc]

Homework Statement

Simplify: cosx / (1+sinx)

2. The attempt at a solution

1 / (sec x)(1+sin x)

1 / (sec x + (sin x / cos x))

1 / (sec x + tan x)

I know that the answer is sec x - tan x but don't know how to get there.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[jing]

Do you know what the value of sec^2x-tan^2x is?

The difference of two squares helps too.

 

[mjbc]

sec^2 (x) - tan^2 (x) = 1

but nothing's squared in the problem

 

[jing]

Not until you do some multiplying.

Do you understand what I mean by the difference of two squares?

 

[Dick]

You could also just multiply top and bottom of your given expression by (1-sin(x)) and expand. It's really the same thing as jing is suggesting.

 

[mjbc]

OK, So it's

(sec x - tan x) / (sec x + tan x)(sec x -tan x)

= (sec x - tan x) / 1

= sec x -tan x

Thank you so much!