Understanding Trig Identities and Variations

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the simplification of trigonometric identities, specifically the transformations between secant, cosecant, cotangent, and tangent functions. Users express confusion regarding the transitions from sec x cot x to csc x and csc x tan x to sec x. The derivatives of sec x and csc x are correctly identified, with sec x yielding sec x tan x and csc x yielding -csc x cot x. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing various forms of trigonometric identities for simplification.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometric functions: secant, cosecant, cotangent, and tangent.
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities and their variations.
  • Knowledge of derivatives of trigonometric functions.
  • Ability to express trigonometric functions in terms of sine and cosine.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of trigonometric identities.
  • Learn how to express sec x, csc x, cot x, and tan x in terms of sin x and cos x.
  • Explore the relationships between different trigonometric functions and their derivatives.
  • Practice simplifying expressions using trigonometric identities in various contexts.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus and trigonometry, educators teaching trigonometric identities, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of trigonometric function transformations.

bobsmith76
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Homework Statement



Screenshot2012-02-08at54843AM.png


I don't see how they're going from

sec x cot x to csc x

and

csc x tan x to sec x

The derivative of sec x is sec x tan x not csc x tan x
and the derivative of csc x is -csc x cot x

and if it's an identity then they didn't care to inform me of that at this website

http://www.sosmath.com/trig/Trig5/trig5/trig5.html
 
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bobsmith76 said:

Homework Statement



Screenshot2012-02-08at54843AM.png


I don't see how they're going from

sec x cot x to csc x

and

csc x tan x to sec x

Express sec x, csc x, cot x and tan x in terms of sin x and cos x first.

The derivative of sec x is sec x tan x not csc x tan x
and the derivative of csc x is -csc x cot x

Sure, but what's the relevance of this? They weren't integrating at that stage, merely simplifying using trig identities.
 
bobsmith76 said:

Homework Statement



Screenshot2012-02-08at54843AM.png


I don't see how they're going from

sec x cot x to csc x

and

csc x tan x to sec x

The derivative of sec x is sec x tan x not csc x tan x
and the derivative of csc x is -csc x cot x

and if it's an identity then they didn't care to inform me of that at this website

http://www.sosmath.com/trig/Trig5/trig5/trig5.html
You should not only recognize the trig identities, but different variations of them. For instance,
\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta}.
But it is also true that
\tan \theta = \sin \theta \sec \theta.
 

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