Using the trigonometric identity (sinx)^2 + (cosx)^2 = 1, show that (secx)^2 = (tanx)^2 + 1 is also a trigonometric identity.

We can divide by (cosx)^2 across the identity (sinx)^2 + (cosx)^2 = 1 (which can be derived from properties of the unit circle and a bit of Pythagoras’ theorem) to achieve

[(sinx)^2 / (cosx)^2] + [(cosx)^2 / (cosx)^2] = [1 / (cosx)^2]

Which leaves us with our desired identity

(tanx)^2 + 1 (secx)^2 = 1

AB

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you prove the 1^2 +2^2+.....+n^2 = n/6 (n+1) (2n+1) by induction?


How can I improve my score?


How can I demonstrate that (sin(T)+cos(T))(1-sin(T)cos(T))=(sin(T))^3+(cos(T))^3


Using a suitable substitution, or otherwise, find the integral of [x/((7+2*(x^2))^2)].