Question

How do I solve this?

Answer 1

The question is somewhat poorly posed because the equation doesn't involve θ at all. I assume the author meant to use x.

sec(x) = csc(x)

By definition of secant and cosecant,

1/cos(x) = 1/sin(x)

Multiply both sides by sin(x) :

sin(x)/cos(x) = sin(x)/sin(x)

As long as sin(x) ≠ 0, this reduces to

sin(x)/cos(x) = 1

By definition of tangent,

tan(x) = 1

Solve for x :

x = arctan(1) + nπ

x = π/4 + nπ

(where n is any integer)

In the interval 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π, you get 2 solutions when n = 0 and n = 1 of

x = π/4   or   x = 5π/4