Solveeit Logo

Question

Question: How do you use the fundamental identities to simplify \(\cot \theta \sec \theta \) ?...

How do you use the fundamental identities to simplify cotθsecθ\cot \theta \sec \theta ?

Explanation

Solution

In this question, we have to find the value of trigonometric function. Thus, we will use the fundamental identities to get the solution. First, we will change the cot function and secant function in terms of sine and cosine function using the formula cotθ=cosθsinθ\cot \theta =\dfrac{\cos \theta }{\sin \theta } and secθ=1cosθ\sec \theta =\dfrac{1}{\cos \theta } . After that, we will put these values in the given trigonometric function. In the last, we will cancel out the same terms in the division and again apply the trigonometric formula sinθ=1cscθ\sin \theta =\dfrac{1}{\csc \theta } , to get the required solution of the problem.

Complete step by step answer:
According to the problem, we have to find the value of the trigonometric function.
Thus, we will apply the fundamental identities to get the solution.
The trigonometric function given to us is cotθsecθ\cot \theta \sec \theta ---------- (1)
Now, we will first change the given functions in terms of sine and cosine function, that is we will apply the trigonometric identity cotθ=cosθsinθ\cot \theta =\dfrac{\cos \theta }{\sin \theta } and secθ=1cosθ\sec \theta =\dfrac{1}{\cos \theta } in equation (1), we get
cosθsinθ×1cosθ\Rightarrow \dfrac{\cos \theta }{\sin \theta }\times \dfrac{1}{\cos \theta }
As we know, the same terms in the division will cancel out each other with the remainder 0 and quotient 1, thus we get
1sinθ\Rightarrow \dfrac{1}{\sin \theta }
In the last, we will again apply the trigonometric formula sinθ=1cscθ\sin \theta =\dfrac{1}{\csc \theta } in the above expression, we get
11cscθ\Rightarrow \dfrac{1}{\dfrac{1}{\csc \theta }}
Now, we will take the reciprocal of the function in the denominator, thus we get
cscθ\Rightarrow \csc \theta which is the required solution.
Therefore, using the fundamental identities to simplify the trigonometric function cotθsecθ\cot \theta \sec \theta , we get the value equal to cscθ\csc \theta .

Note:
While solving this problem, do mention all the steps carefully and avoid confusion and mathematical error. Always write the angle θ\theta instead of any other algebraic variable. You can also stop your solution after this 1sinθ\dfrac{1}{\sin \theta } step.