Question

Please Help:
How can I Prove the Following identities:
a) tan^2 theta = sec^2 theta - 1
b) cot^2 theta = csc^2 theta -1

Answer 1

\[a) \tan^2\theta = \sec^2 -1\]
\[b) \cot^2\theta = \csc^2\theta -1\]

it says to use this identity as a guide: \[\sin^2\theta +\cos^2\theta = 1\]

Answer 2

@robtobey @nincompoop @aaronq can one of you please help me with these 2 problems. I dont understand what to do when i get to here:
for a) ill work on the right side, and the same with b)

a)\[\sec^2\theta - 1\]
\[\rightarrow \frac{ 1 }{ \cos^2\theta } -1\]

b) \[\csc^2\theta - 1\]
\[\rightarrow \frac{ 1 }{ \sin^2\theta} -1\]

Answer 3

never mind I got it a friend just came over.