Question

Simplify sec^2 x - 2 - tan^2 x

Answer 1

Sec^2 - (sin^2 + cos^2) - (sin^2 + cos^2) - (sin/cos)^2 ?

Answer 2

( Sec - (sin + cos) - (sin + cos) - (sin/cos) )^2

Answer 3

@SolomonZelman

Answer 4

\(\large\color{slate}{ \sec^2x -2-\tan^2x }\). And you need to simplify this?

Answer 5

sec^2 x - 2 = tan^2 x sorry

Answer 6

Then find the solutions

Answer 7

\(\large\color{slate}{ \sec^2x -2=\tan^2x }\)

Answer 8

Which shouldn't be too hard after the problem is simplified

Answer 9

Yes that is the problem

Answer 10

apply: \(\large\color{red}{ \sec^2x=\tan^2x+1 }\)

Answer 11

Ok I will

Answer 12

tan^2 x - 1 - tan^2 x ?

Answer 13

Then -1

Answer 14

\(\large\color{slate}{ \tan^2x -1=\tan^2x }\) ?

Answer 15

that is what you meant?

Answer 16

tan^2 x - 1 - tan^2 x = 0

Answer 17

yes, and simplify the left side

Answer 18

How?

Answer 19

\(\large\color{slate}{ \tan^2x -1-\tan^2x=0 }\)

something cancels.....

Answer 20

Tan^2

Answer 21

yes

Answer 22

So -1 = 0

Answer 23

Then -(sin^2 x + cos^2 x) = 0?

Answer 24

no, once you get \(\large\color{slate}{ -1=0 }\), that means that there is no solution

Answer 25

Thanks! It makes sense.

Answer 26

Oh, I opened my profile and saw that you finished typing and this last reply. In my post-tab it said that you were typing still..... anyways, you welcome!