Simplify the trigonometric expression: (1 - sin² θ) sec θ.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. cos θ
- Step 1: Recall the fundamental Pythagorean identity: 1 - sin² θ = cos² θ. Step 2. Substitute sec θ = 1 / cos θ: cos² θ × (1 / cos θ) = cos θ. Answer: cos θ. Why not the others: sin θ, tan θ, and sec θ do not satisfy the algebraic simplification.
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