Lana H.

asked • 06/09/16

What is 1-tan^2(x)

I need to know how to simplify this expression

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Inactive Tutor answered • 06/09/16

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1-tan^2(x) = 1 - (sin2x)/(cos2x) = [cos2x - sin2x]/cos2x = [cos 2x]/cos2x is a posibly 'simplified' version in that it has been boiled down to only cosines.
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Inactive Tutor

Simplify has a particular meaning in mathematics: to rewrite with as few symbols as possible.
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06/10/16

Inactive Tutor

Mark, I made a credible try to find an equivalent expression, and attempted to suggest that, in some minds, sines & cosines can be considered more basic than tangents. I do agree that there's no particular need to simpllify the problem. Can you cite any authority on defining SIMPLIFICATION in the area of trigonometry? 
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06/10/16

Inactive Tutor

My authority is my forty years of teaching under the tutelage of master teachers and the vocabulary that is standard in the teaching of mathematics.
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06/10/16

Inactive Tutor

Mark,it's going to be difficult to teach your Simplification rules without their being defined for others to see and apply.
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06/10/16

Eonn E.

Mark, as Kenneth says, it seems your simplification rules are not properly defined and it would be valuable to contribute them to the conversation for my learning and others. Do you have any generally accepted authority beyond your subjective personal experience?
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03/18/21

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