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Ch. 3 - Trigonometric Identities and Equations
Blitzer - Trigonometry 3rd Edition
Blitzer3rd EditionTrigonometryISBN: 9780137316601Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 72

In Exercises 67–74, rewrite each expression in terms of the given function or functions. (sec x + csc x) (sin x + cos x) - 2 - cot x; tan x

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Identify the given expression: \( (\sec x + \csc x)(\sin x + \cos x) - 2 - \cot x \) and the function to express it in terms of: \( \tan x \).
Recall the definitions of the trigonometric functions involved: \( \sec x = \frac{1}{\cos x} \), \( \csc x = \frac{1}{\sin x} \), and \( \cot x = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x} \).
Expand the product \( (\sec x + \csc x)(\sin x + \cos x) \) by distributing each term: \( \sec x \cdot \sin x + \sec x \cdot \cos x + \csc x \cdot \sin x + \csc x \cdot \cos x \).
Substitute the definitions into each term and simplify where possible, for example, \( \sec x \cdot \sin x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x} = \tan x \), and \( \csc x \cdot \sin x = 1 \).
Combine all simplified terms, subtract 2 and \( \cot x \), then rewrite any remaining expressions in terms of \( \tan x \) using identities such as \( \cot x = \frac{1}{\tan x} \) to express the entire expression solely in terms of \( \tan x \).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

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Reciprocal functions are the inverses of the basic sine, cosine, and tangent functions. Secant (sec x) is 1/cos x, cosecant (csc x) is 1/sin x, and cotangent (cot x) is 1/tan x. Understanding these allows rewriting expressions involving sec, csc, and cot in terms of sine, cosine, or tangent.
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