Working on trig identities and came across a problem:
(1-sin t)^2/ cos^2 t = 1-sin t/ 1+ sin t
This is as far as I got: cos ^2 t/ cos ^2 t=1-sin t/ 1+ sin t
Help please :)

Question

Working on trig identities and came across a problem:
 (1-sin t)^2/ cos^2 t = 1-sin t/ 1+ sin t
This is as far as I got: cos ^2 t/ cos ^2 t=1-sin t/ 1+ sin t
Help please :)

anonymous · Answer

First of all the most important identity in trig is sin^2x + cos^2x = 1  if you solve this for cos^2x you would subtract sin^2x from both sides      so ... cos ^2x = 1 - sin^2x

After that you would substitute in the original equation.   So where you see cos^2t on the bottom you would replace it with 1 - sin^2t  

Secondly..  You would write the top as  (1 - sint)(1 - sint)   and the bottom would  factor because it is the difference of two square.. So the bottom would be (1 + sint)(1 - sint).   The (1 - sint) would cancel from the top and bottom and would you be left with 1 - sint  /  1 + sint

anonymous · Answer

Thank you so very much for helping me!!  I truly appreciate it! It's like a lightbulb went off in my head, Thank You!!!!

anonymous · Answer

You are welcome... You will use sin^2x + cos^2x = 1   a bunch....

anonymous · Answer

Your certainly right about that, I appreciate the help. Thanks for the advice!