Trigonometry (11th Edition) Clone

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 978-0-13-421743-7
ISBN 13: 978-0-13421-743-7

Chapter 5 - Trigonometric Identities - Section 5.2 Verifying Trigonometric Identities - 5.2 Exercises - Page 209: 62

Answer

$$\frac{1}{\sec\alpha-\tan\alpha}=\sec\alpha+\tan\alpha$$ The formula is proved to be an identity.

Work Step by Step

$$\frac{1}{\sec\alpha-\tan\alpha}=\sec\alpha+\tan\alpha$$ Let's transform the right side first, using $\sec\alpha=\frac{1}{\cos\alpha}$ and $\tan\alpha=\frac{\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}$ $$\sec\alpha+\tan\alpha$$ $$=\frac{1}{\cos\alpha}+\frac{\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}$$ $$=\frac{1+\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}$$ The right side looks like there is nothing more that should be done right now, so we move to transform the left side, using the same identities mentioned above. $$\frac{1}{\sec\alpha-\tan\alpha}$$ $$=\frac{1}{\frac{1}{\cos\alpha}-\frac{\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}}$$ $$=\frac{1}{\frac{1-\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}}$$ $$=\frac{\cos\alpha}{1-\sin\alpha}$$ Now both sides look almost the same, but not quite. We would try to make them the same by multiplying both numerator and denominator of the fraction on the left side with $(1+\sin\alpha)$ $$=\frac{\cos\alpha(1+\sin\alpha)}{(1-\sin\alpha)(1+\sin\alpha)}$$ $$=\frac{\cos\alpha(1+\sin\alpha)}{1-\sin^2\alpha}$$ $$=\frac{\cos\alpha(1+\sin\alpha)}{\cos^2\alpha}$$ (for $\cos^2\alpha=1-\sin^2\alpha$) $$=\frac{1+\sin\alpha}{\cos\alpha}$$ Now we see that both sides are equal, the formula is thus proved to be an identity.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.