High School Math : Using Identities of Squared Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Using Identities Of Squared Functions

Factor and simplify \displaystyle \frac{\sin^2x-9}{\sin x-3}.

Possible Answers:

\displaystyle \cos^2 x+3

\displaystyle \sin x \cos x

\displaystyle \csc x

This is already it's most reduced form.

\displaystyle \sin x+3

Correct answer:

\displaystyle \sin x+3

Explanation:

To reduce \displaystyle \frac{\sin^2x-9}{\sin x-3}, factor the numerator: \displaystyle \frac{(\sin x-3)(\sin x+3)}{\sin x-3}

Notice that we can cancel out a \displaystyle \sin x -3.

This leaves us with \displaystyle \sin x +3.

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