Question

perform the subtraction and simplify secx/sinx- sinx/cosx

Answer 1

\[\frac{\frac{1}{a}}{b}-\frac{b}{a}\] is the algebra you need to do, i replace \(\cos(x)\) by \(a\) and \(\sin(x)\) by \(b\)

Answer 2

I can get that far, but im confused as to the next step? idk what rules are for cancelling etc

Answer 3

in the denom you have sinx and cos x
so their LCM is sinx*cosx ...
and proceed further

Answer 4

further you may use the identity
secx*cosx =1
and 1- sin^2 x = cos ^2 x

Answer 5

actually it is even easier than that
\[\frac{A}{B}-\frac{C}{D}=\frac{AD-BC}{BD}\] you get
\[\frac{\sec(x)\cos(x)-\sin^2(x)}{\sin(x)\cos(x)}\]

Answer 6

then use what @matricked said to clean up the numerator

Answer 7

then I have but is that as far as I can take it?