Question

Explain why the quotient rule is used to determine the derivative of tan x and cot x

Answer 1

The quotient rule is used to find the derivative of a ratio between two functions. It is used in the case of tan(x) and cot(x) because tan(x) can be written as
`(sin(x))/(cos(x))` (so f(x) = tan(x) is really f(x) =
`(sin(x))/(cos(x))`). Similarly, cot(x) can be written as
`(cos(x))/(sin(x))`, so the quotient rule also applies.