Prove the identity \(\frac{1 + \cos \theta}{\sin \theta} + \frac{\sin \theta}{1 + \cos \theta} \equiv \frac{2}{\sin \theta}\).
Solution
Start with the left-hand side: \(\frac{1 + \cos \theta}{\sin \theta} + \frac{\sin \theta}{1 + \cos \theta}\).
Let \(c = \cos \theta\) and \(s = \sin \theta\).
Combine the fractions: \(\frac{(1+c)^2 + s^2}{s(1+c)}\).
Expand the numerator: \((1+c)^2 + s^2 = 1 + 2c + c^2 + s^2\).
Use the identity \(c^2 + s^2 = 1\), so the numerator becomes \(1 + 2c + 1 = 2 + 2c\).
Thus, \(\frac{2 + 2c}{s(1+c)} = \frac{2(1+c)}{s(1+c)}\).
Cancel \(1+c\) from the numerator and denominator: \(\frac{2}{s}\).
This matches the right-hand side: \(\frac{2}{\sin \theta}\).
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