SOLUTION: How do I prove this identity? 1/1+cosx +1/1-cosx= 2/sin^2x

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: How do I prove this identity? 1/1+cosx +1/1-cosx= 2/sin^2x      Log On


   



Question 1091318: How do I prove this identity?
1/1+cosx +1/1-cosx= 2/sin^2x

Answer by math_helper(2461) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Please use parenthesis to make your question clear. You must have meant:


On left, multiply first term by (1-cos(x))/(1-cos(x)), 2nd term by (1+cos(x))/(1+cos(x)) :


On left, multiply out numerator and denominator (its a common denominator due to the chosen multiplications):

simplifies to...
++++++2+%2F+%281-cos%5E2%28x%29%29++=+2%2Fsin%5E2%28x%29++
The final step is to recognize that ++1-cos%5E2%28x%29+=+sin%5E2%28x%29+ and you are done.