Which of the following are equal to this identity?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the identity cot(x)/sin(2x) and seeks to determine which of several proposed expressions are equivalent to it. Participants explore various mathematical transformations and simplifications to verify these equivalencies.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that they found the third option to be equivalent but notes that it is not the correct answer on its own.
  • Another participant asserts that choice D is correct and provides a reasoning involving the cosine double angle identity.
  • A participant proposes reducing all options to functions of sin(x) and cos(x) to simplify the comparison.
  • Multiple participants verify each proposed equivalency through algebraic manipulation, concluding that all three options are identities.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the approach of simplifying the expressions, indicating that they had not considered it before.
  • Another participant suggests that only the first and third options are equivalent after simplification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on which options are equivalent, as some participants assert that all three are identities while others suggest that only the first and third are equivalent.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various mathematical transformations and assumptions that may not be universally accepted, and the equivalencies depend on the definitions and identities used in the simplifications.

Umar
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Hello, sorry for the constant questions. But here is a question asking which of these are equal to the identity cot(x)/sin(2x).

I managed to find out that this is equal to the third option of the three, however, apparently this option on its own is not the right answer. I can't seem to get the other two options to be equivalent.

Can someone please help and see if there are other equivalencies?

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Choice D is correct. Use $\cos(2x)=\cos^2(x)-\sin^2(x)$ to see why.
 
Umar said:
Hello, sorry for the constant questions. But here is a question asking which of these are equal to the identity cot(x)/sin(2x).

I managed to find out that this is equal to the third option of the three, however, apparently this option on its own is not the right answer. I can't seem to get the other two options to be equivalent.

Can someone please help and see if there are other equivalencies?

Hey Umar! ;)

Let's reduce all of them to contain only $\sin x$ and $\cos x$ and simplify them:
$$\frac{\cot x}{\sin(2x)} = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x\cdot 2\sin x\cos x} = \frac{1}{2\sin^2 x} \\
(i)\quad\frac{1}{1-\cos(2x)} = \frac{1}{1-(1-2\sin^2 x)} = \frac{1}{2\sin^2 x} \\
(ii)\quad\frac 12(1+\tan^2 x) = \frac 12\left(1+\frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos^2 x}\right) = \frac 12\cdot \frac{\cos^2 x+\sin^2 x}{\cos^2 x} = \frac{1}{2\cos^2 x} \\
(iii)\quad\frac{1}{2(1-\cos^2 x)} = \frac 1{2\sin^2 x}
$$
How about the equivalencies now?
 
I think what I would do here is treat them all, in turn, as prospective identities to be verified.

i) $$\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(2x)}=\frac{1}{1-\cos(2x)}$$

$$\cot(x)(1-\cos(2x))=\sin(2x)$$

$$1-(1-2\sin^2(x))=2\sin^2(x)$$

$$2\sin^2(x)=2\sin^2(x)$$

This is an identity.

ii) $$\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(2x)}=\frac{1}{2}(1+\tan^2(x))$$

$$2\cot(x)=\sin(2x)\sec^2(x)$$

$$2\cot(x)=2\cot(x)$$

This is an identity.

iii) $$\frac{\cot(x)}{\sin(2x)}=\frac{1}{2(1-\cos^2(x))}$$

$$2\cot(x)\sin^2(x)=\sin(2x)$$

$$\sin(2x)=\sin(2x)$$

This is an identity.

So, we find all three are identities. :D
 
I like Serena said:
Hey Umar! ;)

Let's reduce all of them to contain only $\sin x$ and $\cos x$ and simplify them:
$$\frac{\cot x}{\sin(2x)} = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x\cdot 2\sin x\cos x} = \frac{1}{2\sin^2 x} \\
(i)\quad\frac{1}{1-\cos(2x)} = \frac{1}{1-(1-2\sin^2 x)} = \frac{1}{2\sin^2 x} \\
(ii)\quad\frac 12(1+\tan^2 x) = \frac 12\left(1+\frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos^2 x}\right) = \frac 12\cdot \frac{\cos^2 x+\sin^2 x}{\cos^2 x} = \frac{1}{2\cos^2 x} \\
(iii)\quad\frac{1}{2(1-\cos^2 x)} = \frac 1{2\sin^2 x}
$$
How about the equivalencies now?

Thank you so much, I never really thought about doing it that way, but I kept getting close to that. I see, so only the first and third one are equivalent.
 

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