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Old 04-11-2009, 06:33 PM   #25
FlamesPuck12
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Join Date: Apr 2007
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Question 6:
Since we are doing proofs, we can only work with one side at a time.
I'll work with the left side. Also, I'll be using x instead of theta, since its easier to type.


(sinē x) / (1 - cos x)

Pythagorean Identity: sinē x + cosē x = 1
Rearrange it so it looks like: sinē x = 1 - cosē x
Substitute it into the proof.

(1 - cosē x) / (1 - cos x)


(1 - cosē x) is difference of squares so factor it out.
(1 - cosē x) = (1 - cos x)(1 + cos x)

[(1 - cos x)(1 + cos x)] / (1 - cos x)


Cancel the like terms and you'll have the following.
1 + cos x


Reciprocal Identity: sec x = (1 / cos x)
Rearrange it so it looks like: cos x = (1 / sec x)
Substitute it into the proof.

1 + (1 / sec x)

Combine both terms into one fraction by multiplying 1 by LCD.

(sec x + 1) / (sec x)


Therefore, sinē x / (1 - cos x) = (sec x + 1) / sec x
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