Pre-Calculus All-in-One For Dummies
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Using the periodicity identities comes in handy when you need to prove an equality that includes the expression (x + 2pi) or the addition (or subtraction) of the period. For example, to prove

image0.png

follow these steps:

  1. Replace all trig functions with the appropriate periodicity identity.

    You're left with (sec x – tan x)(csc x + 1).

  2. Simplify the new expression.

    For this example, the best place to start is to FOIL:

    image1.png

    Now convert all terms to sines and cosines to get

    image2.png

    Then find a common denominator and add the fractions:

    image3.png
  3. Apply any other applicable identities.

    You have a Pythagorean identity in the form of 1 – sin2 x, so replace it with cos2 x. Cancel one of the cosines in the numerator (because it's squared) with the cosine in the denominator to get

    image4.png

    Finally, this equation simplifies to cot x = cot x.

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