# reciprocal functions question

• December 30th 2009, 08:00 AM
ringo
reciprocal functions question
this question was given on a practice test

y = sec(x)csc(x)tan(x) Determine if there are any vertical asymptotes or holes

Y = sin(x)/[cos(x)sin(x)] = 1/cos(x)
Therefore, there are holes at x =0, pi, 2pi, etc, and vertical asymptotes at x = pi/2, 3pi/2, etc

Should't the answer be y= 1 / cos^2(x) ?
And can someone please explain to me how you find holes in this type of function?
Thanks!
• December 30th 2009, 08:11 AM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by ringo
this question was given on a practice test

y = sec(x)csc(x)tan(x) Determine if there are any vertical asymptotes or holes

Y = sin(x)/[cos(x)sin(x)] = 1/cos(x)
Therefore, there are holes at x =0, pi, 2pi, etc, and vertical asymptotes at x = pi/2, 3pi/2, etc

Should't the answer be y= 1 / cos^2(x) ?
And can someone please explain to me how you find holes in this type of function?
Thanks!

$\sec{x}\csc{x}\tan{x} = \frac{\sin{x}}{\sin{x}\cos^2{x}}
$

"holes" wherever $\sin{x} = 0$

vertical asymptotes wherever $\cos{x} = 0$
• December 30th 2009, 08:18 AM
ringo
Thank you, that makes more sense now.