Chapter 10: Problem 71
Perform indicated operation and simplify the result. $$\frac{1}{1+\cos x}-\frac{1}{1-\cos x}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The simplified result is \( \frac{-2\cos x}{\sin^2 x} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Problem
The given expression requires simplification.\[\frac{1}{1+\cos x} - \frac{1}{1-\cos x}\] The task involves performing the subtraction of two fractions.
02
Find a Common Denominator
To subtract these fractions, we need a common denominator. The common denominator is the product of the two individual denominators:\[(1+\cos x)(1-\cos x)\]
03
Simplify the Common Denominator
Use the identity for the difference of squares to write the common denominator as:\[1 - \cos^2 x = \sin^2 x\] Hence, the new denominator becomes \( \sin^2 x \).
04
Rewrite Each Fraction with the Common Denominator
Rewrite each fraction over the common denominator \( \sin^2 x \):\[\frac{1}{1+\cos x} = \frac{1-\cos x}{\sin^2 x}, \quad \frac{1}{1-\cos x} = \frac{1+\cos x}{\sin^2 x}\]
05
Perform the Subtraction
Subtract the fractions using the common denominator:\[\frac{1-\cos x}{\sin^2 x} - \frac{1+\cos x}{\sin^2 x} = \frac{(1-\cos x) - (1+\cos x)}{\sin^2 x}\]Simplify the numerator:\[(1-\cos x) - (1+\cos x) = 1 - \cos x - 1 - \cos x = -2\cos x\]
06
Simplify the Result
Substitute the simplified numerator back over the common denominator:\[\frac{-2\cos x}{\sin^2 x}\]This is the simplified form of the original expression.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Fraction Simplification
When simplifying fractions like \[\frac{1}{1+\cos x} - \frac{1}{1-\cos x},\]our goal is to make the expression more manageable by converting it into a simplified form. For this particular exercise, the simplification process involves several steps to achieve a cleaner result.
- First, you identify the entire expression as a fraction with two parts (or terms) that will be subtracted.
- Next, you simplify each part by finding a common denominator, making subtraction possible.
- Finally, combine the parts and simplify as much as possible, leaving it in a form that's easy to understand and further calculate if needed.
Common Denominator
To subtract two fractions as seen in\[\frac{1}{1+\cos x} - \frac{1}{1-\cos x},\]we need a common denominator. This step is vital because it allows us to combine the fractions into a single expression.
Here's how the common denominator is found:
This simplification means both fractions can be expressed over the common denominator \(\sin^2 x\).
Here's how the common denominator is found:
- Each original fraction has a denominator: \(1+\cos x\) for the first and \(1-\cos x\) for the second.
- Multiply these denominators together to establish a common denominator, resulting in \((1+\cos x)(1-\cos x)\).
This simplification means both fractions can be expressed over the common denominator \(\sin^2 x\).
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine play a key role in this problem. The given fraction uses the cosine function, \(\cos x\), within its denominators initially.
Key trigonometric identities help simplify expressions massively:
Key trigonometric identities help simplify expressions massively:
- The identity \(1-\cos^2 x = \sin^2 x\) is crucial here. Known as the Pythagorean identity, it allows conversion of the expression to involve \(\sin^2 x\) instead.
- Simplified expressions like \(\frac{-2\cos x}{\sin^2 x}\) involve recognizing how these trigonometric functions interact with each other through identities.