AboutScott A Wilson Expertise I can answer any question in general math, algebra, complex mathematics, trigonometry, pre-calculus, probability, statistics, ... is there an end to this list?
Experience Experience in the area; I have tutored people over the years in algebra, basic math, and statistics.
I worked at The Boeing Company for over 5 years.
Education/Credentials: MS degreee in Mathematics from Oregon State Univeristy; taken well over 100 hours of upper division credits in mathematical courses such as calculus, statistics, probabilty, linear algrebra, powers, linear regression, matrices, and more.
I graduated with honors.
Past/Present Clients: College Students at OSU, various math people since college, over 700 people in math and calculus.
Expert: Scott A Wilson Date: 5/6/2008 Subject: verify identity
Question I cant seem to get these 3 identities step by step. I need some help please.
1. tan^2t
------ = sect - cost
sect
cost
2. tant + -------- = sect
1 + sint
sin^2x
3. 1 - ---------- = cosx
1 + cosx
Answer To find the answer to these problems, I convert everything to sin(t) and cos(t).
1. I can solve this one using
(a) tan(t)=sin(t)/cos(t),
(b) sec(t)=1/cos(t), and
(c) sin^2(t)+cos^2(t)=1.
Get the right with a common denominator of cos. Note that there is a 1-cos^2(t) on the top. This converts to sin^(t).
2. Multilpy the fraction by 1-sin(t) on the top and bottom. Note that the bottom becomes cos^2(t). Using properties (a) and (b) given in the first problem, all of the terms are fractions with a cos(t) on the bottom, so start off by multiplying everything by cos(t).
3. Multilply the fraction by 1-cos(t) on the top and bottom. Note that the bottom of the fraction becomes sin^2(t).
To do the problems properly (or at least the way I was taught to do them), take the steps done on the left side of the equation and move them to the right side in reverse order. In this way, the left side is not changed but the right side is changed into the left side.
I wish you the best of luck and am willing to answer more questions when they come up.
