How do you simplify sin(pi/2-x)(secx-cosx)?

1 Answer
Oct 11, 2016

sin^2 x

Explanation:

P = sin (pi/2 - x)(sec x - cos x)
sin (pi/2 - x) = cos x --> complementary arcs.
(sec x - cos x) = 1/(cos x) - cos x = (1 - cos^2 x)/cos x.
There for,
P = (cos x)(1 - cos^2 x)/(cos x) = 1 - cos^2 x = sin^2 x