Expert: Paul Klarreich - 12/10/2008

Question
i have tried to solve this question in many different ways

-1/csc x = √3 /sec x

I have to prove that the sides are equal.I have used my knowledge of trig identities, as well as my knowledge of special triangles and I can not seem to be able to figure it out.

Thank you for your time.

Answer
Questioner:   Emma
Category:  Advanced Math
Private:  No
 
Subject:  Trigonomic Identities
Question:  i have tried to solve this question in many different ways

-1/csc x = √3 /sec x

I have to prove that the sides are equal.I have used my knowledge of trig identities, as well as my knowledge of special triangles and I can not seem to be able to figure it out.

Thank you for your time.
.........................
Hi, Emma,

First step in trying to succeed in math: USE THE VOCABULARY CORRECTLY.  Do not use a word to mean everything, as in 'solve this question.'

You

ANSWER a question.
PROVE an identity.
SOLVE an equation.

Then what you say will make sense (to you, too).

Now, then, if you have this EQUATION, which might be an identity:

-1      sqrt(3)
------ = --------
csc x     sec x

That is the same as:

- sin x = sqrt(3) cos x

OR:

tan x = - sqrt(3)

No wonder you can't prove it's an identity.  Can you guess why?