Verify that each equation is an identity. (2 cot x)/(tan 2x) = csc² x - 2
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Step 1: Start by expressing \( \cot x \) and \( \tan 2x \) in terms of sine and cosine. \( \cot x = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x} \) and \( \tan 2x = \frac{2 \tan x}{1 - \tan^2 x} = \frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{\cos^2 x - \sin^2 x} \).
Step 2: Substitute these expressions into the left side of the equation: \( \frac{2 \cot x}{\tan 2x} = \frac{2 \frac{\cos x}{\sin x}}{\frac{2 \sin x \cos x}{\cos^2 x - \sin^2 x}} \).
Step 3: Simplify the expression by multiplying the numerator and the denominator: \( \frac{2 \cos x}{\sin x} \times \frac{\cos^2 x - \sin^2 x}{2 \sin x \cos x} \).
Step 4: Cancel out common terms in the numerator and the denominator: \( \frac{\cos^2 x - \sin^2 x}{\sin^2 x} \).
Step 5: Recognize that \( \cos^2 x - \sin^2 x = \cos 2x \) and \( \csc^2 x = \frac{1}{\sin^2 x} \), so the expression simplifies to \( \csc^2 x - 2 \), verifying the identity.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Trigonometric Identities
Trigonometric identities are equations that hold true for all values of the variable where both sides are defined. Common identities include the Pythagorean identities, reciprocal identities, and quotient identities. Understanding these identities is crucial for verifying equations and simplifying expressions in trigonometry.
Cotangent (cot) and tangent (tan) are fundamental trigonometric functions defined as cot x = cos x/sin x and tan x = sin x/cos x, respectively. The relationship between these functions is essential for manipulating and transforming trigonometric equations. Recognizing how to express one function in terms of another is key to verifying identities.
The cosecant function (csc) is the reciprocal of the sine function, defined as csc x = 1/sin x. It plays a significant role in trigonometric identities and can be used to express other trigonometric functions. Understanding how to convert between sine and cosecant is important for simplifying and verifying trigonometric equations.