The other tutor's answer is wrong. It is NOT true for ALL values
of x because the cotangent and the cosecant are undefined at all integral
multiples of 180° or . Let's analyze the equation for fun:
cot²x - csc²x = -1
Let's check to see if it's true for x = 60°
cot(60°) = =
csc(60°) = =
cot²x - csc²x = -1
- = -1
- = -1
= -1
-1 = -1
Yes it is, so it might be true for all values other than
where x is an integral multiple of 90° or
Let's see if we can prove it as an identity:
cot²x - csc²x = -1 where x is not an integral multiple of 180° or 90°
We will use the identity 1 + cot²(t) = csc²(t) to replace csc²x
cot²x - (1 + cot²x)
cot²x - 1 - cot²x
-1
So yes it is an identity and true for all values of x except integers
times 180°, ( or in radians. These are
called quadrantal angles.)
But the answer to the initial question is "FALSE", because the left side
is not defined for those quadrantal angles.
Edwin