Trig: use algebra and identities to simplify the following

kdemmerle

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Aug 31, 2006
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Please help me with the following problem. The instructions read as follows:

Use algebra and identies in the text to simplify the expression. Assume all denominators are nonzero.

. . .5 cos t / sin^2 t multiplied by sin^2 t - sin t cos t / sin^2 t - cos^2 t

Note: All t's (the variable) are italicized, and "^2" indicates "squared".

Thank you so, so much for any help that you can give.
 
Hint: m<sup>2</sup> - n<sup>2</sup> = (m - n)(m + n)

Other than that, just cancel off common factors. I don't see any other "simplification" that you can do with this. Trig identities don't seem necessary to this particular exercise.

Eliz.
 
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