# Math Help - Math Trig Identity

1. ## Math Trig Identity

(sinA^4 - cosA^4) secA^2 =secA^2-2

appreciated

2. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

Originally Posted by danny88
(sinA^4 - cosA^4) secA^2 =secA^2-2
Are you sure that that's not supposed to be $\left(\sin^4A-\cos^4A\right)\sec^2A = \sec^2A-2\mathrm?$

If that is what you are trying to prove, begin by factoring the $\sin^4A-\cos^4A$ as a difference of squares. Then use the Pythagorean identity and the rest should be obvious.

3. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

I would really appreciate if you would show me step by step because I seem to be making an error in my steps.

4. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

Originally Posted by danny88
I would really appreciate if you would show me step by step because I seem to be making an error in my steps.
Well, how about you post the work that you have done so that I can see where you went wrong?

5. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

(sin^2 A+cos^2 A)(sin^2A-cos^2A) * sec^2A
(1)*(sin^2A-cos^2A) * sec^2A
1*(sinA-cosA)^2 * sec^2A
1*(1-2sinAcosA)* sec^2A

6. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

Thank you.
Originally Posted by danny88
1*(sinA-cosA)^2 * sec^2A
This is your error. We cannot distribute powers over addition or subtraction and, likewise, we cannot "factor out" a power like that. $a^2+b^2$ is not necessarily equal to $(a+b)^2$. Instead, convert the secants to cosines:

$\left(\sin^4A - \cos^4A\right)\sec^2A$

$=\left(\sin^2A + \cos^2A\right)\left(\sin^2A - \cos^2A\right)\sec^2A$

$=\left(\sin^2A - \cos^2A\right)\sec^2A$

$=\frac{\sin^2A - \cos^2A}{\cos^2A}$

$=\frac{\sin^2A}{\cos^2A} - \frac{\cos^2A}{\cos^2A}$

Can you continue from here?

7. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

sin^2 A/ cos^2A =tan^2A?
then -cos^2A/cos^2A= -1 ?

8. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

Originally Posted by danny88
sin^2 A/ cos^2A =tan^2A?
then -cos^2A/cos^2A= -1 ?
Correct. So we have $\tan^2A-1.$

Is there an identity we can use that relates $\tan^2A$ with $\sec^2A\,?$

9. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

1= sec^2A-tan^2A
but how does that work out?

10. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

Originally Posted by danny88
1= sec^2A-tan^2A
but how does that work out?
Solve for $\tan^2A:$

$\tan^2A+1=\sec^2A\Rightarrow\tan^2A=\sec^2A-1$

Now substitute that into our expression:

$\tan^2A-1$

$=\left(\sec^2A-1\right)-1$

$=\sec^2A-2.$

11. ## Re: Math Trig Identity

thanks a lot of the help, I really appreciate it.