Final answer:
To prove that tanθ + cotθ = 1/sinθ cosθ, we use the definitions of tangent and cotangent, find a common denominator, and apply the Pythagorean identity to arrive at the desired expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prove that tanθ + cotθ = 1/sinθ cosθ, let's use the definitions of the trigonometric functions and manipulate the terms.
- The tangent of an angle (θ) is equal to the ratio of the sine to the cosine of that angle: tanθ = sinθ / cosθ.
- The cotangent of an angle (θ) is the reciprocal of the tangent, which can also be expressed as the ratio of the cosine to the sine of that angle: cotθ = cosθ / sinθ.
Now, let's add them up:
tanθ + cotθ = (sinθ / cosθ) + (cosθ / sinθ)
We will find a common denominator to combine these fractions:
= (sin^2θ + cos^2θ) / (sinθ cosθ)
Using the Pythagorean identity, which states that sin^2θ + cos^2θ = 1, we can simplify the numerator:
= 1 / (sinθ cosθ)
Thus, we've shown that tanθ + cotθ is indeed equal to 1/sinθ cosθ.