f(x)=sec^2(x)-tan^2(x)
How do you do the derivative of squared trig functions?

Question

f(x)=sec^2(x)-tan^2(x)
How do you do the derivative of squared trig functions?

anonymous · Answer

does it help to know that 
$$\sec^2(x)-\tan^2(x)=1$$?

wesdg1978 · Answer

It doesn't say that in the question.

anonymous · Answer

it is true in any case

wesdg1978 · Answer

All I can figure out is that the derivative of tan is sec^2 and the derivative of sec is sec tan. Other than that, I'm lost...

anonymous · Answer

since it is identically 1, the derivative is zero

anonymous · Answer

U also need to nkow that the derivative of u^n = n.u^(n-1)(u)'. right now, just let, u = sec x. and u = tan x

anonymous · Answer

on the other hand if you really have to take the derivative of $\tan^2(x)$ it is 
$$2\tan(x)\sec^2(x)$$ by the chain rule
however, let me repeat myself:
the derivative of 1 is 0