Math Problem Statement

Write the trigonometric expression \(\frac{\sec(x)}{\csc(x)}\) in terms of sine and cosine, and then simplify.

Solution

To solve this problem, let's rewrite sec(x)\sec(x) and csc(x)\csc(x) in terms of sin(x)\sin(x) and cos(x)\cos(x), and then simplify.

Step 1: Rewrite in terms of sin(x)\sin(x) and cos(x)\cos(x)

  1. The secant function sec(x)\sec(x) is defined as: sec(x)=1cos(x)\sec(x) = \frac{1}{\cos(x)}

  2. The cosecant function csc(x)\csc(x) is defined as: csc(x)=1sin(x)\csc(x) = \frac{1}{\sin(x)}

So, the expression sec(x)csc(x)\frac{\sec(x)}{\csc(x)} becomes: sec(x)csc(x)=1cos(x)1sin(x)\frac{\sec(x)}{\csc(x)} = \frac{\frac{1}{\cos(x)}}{\frac{1}{\sin(x)}}

Step 2: Simplify the expression

To simplify, divide by 1sin(x)\frac{1}{\sin(x)} by multiplying with its reciprocal: 1cos(x)1sin(x)=1cos(x)sin(x)1=sin(x)cos(x)\frac{\frac{1}{\cos(x)}}{\frac{1}{\sin(x)}} = \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \cdot \frac{\sin(x)}{1} = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}

Step 3: Recognize the simplified form

The result sin(x)cos(x)\frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)} is simply the tangent function: sin(x)cos(x)=tan(x)\frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)} = \tan(x)

Final Answer

sec(x)csc(x)=tan(x)\frac{\sec(x)}{\csc(x)} = \tan(x)

Would you like more details on any specific step or additional explanations?


Here are some related questions you might find useful:

  1. How do you derive the basic trigonometric identities for sec(x)\sec(x) and csc(x)\csc(x)?
  2. What is the relationship between tangent and other trigonometric functions?
  3. How do you simplify expressions involving sec(x)\sec(x) and csc(x)\csc(x) in other contexts?
  4. Why does tan(x)=sin(x)cos(x)\tan(x) = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)}?
  5. How would you simplify other combinations of trigonometric functions in terms of sine and cosine?

Tip: Memorizing the reciprocal and quotient identities of trigonometric functions can help simplify many problems more quickly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Simplification of Trigonometric Expressions

Formulas

\(\sec(x) = \frac{1}{\cos(x)}\)
\(\csc(x) = \frac{1}{\sin(x)}\)
\(\frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)} = \tan(x)\)

Theorems

Trigonometric Identities

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12