Math Problem Statement

prove

Prove the trigonometric identity: sec x - cos x + csc x - sin x - sin x tan x = cos x cot x.

Solution

We are tasked with proving the trigonometric identity:

secxcosx+cscxsinxsinxtanx=cosxcotx\sec x - \cos x + \csc x - \sin x - \sin x \tan x = \cos x \cot x

Step-by-step Proof:

  1. Rewrite in terms of basic trigonometric functions:

    • secx=1cosx\sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x},
    • cscx=1sinx\csc x = \frac{1}{\sin x},
    • tanx=sinxcosx\tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x},
    • cotx=cosxsinx\cot x = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x}.

    Substituting these identities into the left-hand side (LHS) expression:

    1cosxcosx+1sinxsinxsinxsinxcosx\frac{1}{\cos x} - \cos x + \frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x - \sin x \cdot \frac{\sin x}{\cos x}

  2. Simplify the expression: Simplifying each term:

    • The first term remains 1cosx\frac{1}{\cos x},
    • The second term remains cosx- \cos x,
    • The third term remains 1sinx\frac{1}{\sin x},
    • The fourth term remains sinx- \sin x,
    • The fifth term becomes sin2xcosx- \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x}.

    Now the LHS becomes:

    1cosxcosx+1sinxsinxsin2xcosx\frac{1}{\cos x} - \cos x + \frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x - \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x}

  3. Combine like terms: Group terms with 1cosx\frac{1}{\cos x} and sin2xcosx\frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x}:

    (1cosxsin2xcosx)cosx+1sinxsinx\left( \frac{1}{\cos x} - \frac{\sin^2 x}{\cos x} \right) - \cos x + \frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x

    Simplify the expression inside the parentheses:

    1sin2xcosx\frac{1 - \sin^2 x}{\cos x}

    Using the Pythagorean identity 1sin2x=cos2x1 - \sin^2 x = \cos^2 x, we simplify it further:

    cos2xcosx=cosx\frac{\cos^2 x}{\cos x} = \cos x

    Thus, the LHS now simplifies to:

    cosxcosx+1sinxsinx\cos x - \cos x + \frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x

  4. Further simplification: The terms cosxcosx\cos x - \cos x cancel out, leaving us with:

    1sinxsinx\frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x

  5. Rewrite the right-hand side (RHS): The RHS is:

    cosxcotx=cosxcosxsinx=cos2xsinx\cos x \cot x = \cos x \cdot \frac{\cos x}{\sin x} = \frac{\cos^2 x}{\sin x}

  6. Equate LHS and RHS: From step 4, the simplified LHS is 1sinxsinx\frac{1}{\sin x} - \sin x. However, it is clear that this form does not match the current simplified RHS cos2xsinx\frac{\cos^2 x}{\sin x}.

    After verifying each term in detail, we find that either a correction is needed in the given equation (as some cancellation or special identity is possibly missing). Would you like further analysis on this discrepancy, or we can revisit the equation for possible re-arrangement?

Let me know if you need further exploration or explanations for specific parts of the equation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometric Identities
Simplification of Trig Functions

Formulas

sec x = 1/cos x
csc x = 1/sin x
tan x = sin x / cos x
cot x = cos x / sin x
Pythagorean Identity: sin^2 x + cos^2 x = 1

Theorems

Pythagorean Identity

Suitable Grade Level

Grade 11-12 (High School level)