Question

Simplify; (sinx-cosx)/[sin^2(x)-cos^2(x)]

Answer 1

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=(sinx-cosx)%2F%5Bsin%5E2(x)-cos%5E2(x)%5D

Answer 2

your answer would be in alternative forms

Answer 3

factor the denominator first ( its the difference of 2 squares)

Answer 4

then you can take out common factors

Answer 5

can you do that?

Answer 6

I am trying right now @welshfella

Answer 7

ok

Answer 8

It brought me back to where I was in the beginning @welshfella

Answer 9

sin^2 x - cos ^2 x = (sin x + cos x)(sin x - cos x)

Answer 10

so we have
sin x - cos x
-------------------------
(sin x + cos x)(sin x - cos x)

Answer 11

then it equals to secx+cosecx, right?

Answer 12

NO
now compare the top to the bottom - what is common to both?

Answer 13

sinx-cosx

Answer 14

right so that leaves
1 / (sinx + cos x)

Answer 15

- which does NOT equal cosec x + sec x

Answer 16

thank you so much @welshfella

Answer 17

yw