How do you prove #secx+sin^2x+cos^2x=secx#?

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Answer 1 · 2015-12-20T06:35:47

This cannot be proven.

The first thing that should be recognized is the #sin^2x+cos^2x# term.

This is the Pythagorean Identity: #sin^2x+cos^2x=1#

Thus, the equation can be rewritten:

#secx+(sin^2x+cos^2x)=secx#

#secx+1=secx#

#0!=1#

This equation has no solutions and is not a valid identity.