Secant Square X Formula: Derivation & Solved Examples

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Muskan Shafi

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Secant Square X Formula is a trigonometric function that returns the square of the secant function value for an angle x. It is denoted as sec2 x in Trigonometry

  • Secant Function is the ratio of the hypotenuse to the base in a right-angled triangle. 
  • It is abbreviated as sec x, where x is the acute angle.
  • It is the reciprocal of cosine function and is thus written as sec x = 1/cos x.
  • Sine, Cosine, Tangent, Secant, Cotangent, and Cosecant, are the six trigonometric functions.

Secant Square x Formula is given as: 

Sec 2 x = 1 + Tan2 x

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Mathematics Trigonometric Functions  

Key Terms: Secant Square X Formula, Secant, Trigonometry, Right-Angled Triangle, Cosine, Tangent, Trigonometric Functions


What is Secant Function?

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Secant Function is a periodic function in trigonometry which is commonly abbreviated as ‘sec’.

Secant Function

Secant Function

If θ is the angle between the base and hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle then,

Sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base = 1/Cos θ

Where

  • Hypotenuse is the longest side of the right-angled triangle.
  • Base is the side adjacent to the angle.
  • θ is the acute angle formed between the hypotenuse and the base.

Trigonometric Functions Detailed Video Explanation


Trigonometric Ratios

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Trigonometric Ratios are defined as the ratios of the length of sides of a right-angled triangle in Trigonometry. Trigonometric Ratios describe the relationship between the sides of a right triangle to the respective angle.

There are six Trigonometric Ratios in Trigonometry which are as follows: 

  1. Sine (sin)
  2. Cosine (cos)
  3. Tangent (tan)
  4. Cotangent (cot)
  5. Secant (sec)
  6. Cosecant (cosec)

Sine (sin), Cosine (cos), and Tangent (tan) are the primary trigonometric ratios whereas Cotangent (cot), Secant (sec), and Cosecant (cosec) are derived from sin, cos, and tan respectively.

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Secant Square X Formula

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Secant Square x Formula is a mathematical formula in Trigonometry that returns the square of the secant function value for an angle x.

  • Secant Square x Formula is expressed as sec2 x.
  • The period of the function sec x is 2π, however, the period of sec2 x is π.
  • It is equal to the sum of one and the tangent square function.

Secant Square x Formula is given as follows: 

Sec 2 x = 1 + Tan2 x

Where

  • x refers to one of the angles of the right-angled triangle.
  • Tan x refers to the tangent function for angle x.

Read More: Trigonometric Functions Important Questions


Secant Square X Formula Derivation

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Secant and Tangent functions are represented in trigonometry as sec θ and tan θ, respectively. According to the Pythagorean identity of Secant and Tangent functions, they can be represented in the following manner in trigonometry: 

Sec2θ – Tan2θ = 1

Therefore, it can be rearranged and written as:

Sec2θ = 1 + Tan2θ

Thus, the secant square x formula is derived and proven in this manner. It can be stated that the secant square function is equal to the summation of one and the tangent square function.

Secant Square x Formula can also be derived using the identity of the sum of squares of sine and cosine ratios.

We know that, 

sin2 x + cos2 x = 1

Dividing both sides by cos2 x,

(sin2 x/cos2 x) + (cos2 x/cos2 x) = 1/cos2 x

tan2 x + 1 = sec2 x

sec2 x = 1 + tan2 x

Thus, the Secant Square x Formula is derived. 


Secant Square X Formula Examples

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Here are some solved examples on Secant Square X Formula for a better understanding of the formula:

Example 1: Find the value of sec square x, if tan x is given as 2/5.

Solution: Tan x is given as 2/5.

Using the Secant Square X Formula,

Sec2x = 1 + tan2x

= 1 + (2/5)2

= 1 + 4/25

= (25 + 4) / 25

= 29/25

Thus, Sec2x is equal to 29/25 if tan x is given as 2/5.

Example 2: What will be the value of sec2x, if the value of cot x is 2/5?

Solution: It is given that cot x = 2/5.

tan x = 1/cot x = 5/2

Now, Using the Secant Square X Formula,

sec2x = 1 + tan2x

= 1 + (5/2)2

= 1 + 25/4

= 29/4

Thus, Sec2x is equal to 29/4 when cot x is 2/5.

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Secant Function Values

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The value of the Secant Function for standard angles such as 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° along with other angles like 180°, 270°, and 360° are given below: 

Secant Function Value
sec 0° 0
sec 30° 2/√3
sec 45° √2
sec 60° 2
sec 90° Not Defined
sec 120° -2
sec 150° -2/√3
sec 180° -1
sec 270° Not Defined
sec 360° 1

These values can help in faster calculations involving trigonometric ratios.  


Things to Remember

  • Secant Function is an important trigonometric function abbreviated as "sec".
  • Secant is the ratio of the hypotenuse to the base in a right-angled triangle
  • Secant Formula is given as sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base = 1/cos θ.
  • Secant Square X Formula is used to find the square of the secant function value for an angle x. 
  • It is the summation of one and the tangent square function.
  • Secant Square X Formula is given as Sec2x = 1 + tan2x.

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Previous Years’ Questions

  1. The value of tan(1) + tan(89) is… (KCET - 2015)
  2. If a and b are positive numbers such that, a>b, then the minimum value… (KEAM)
  3. ABCD is a trapezium such that AB and CD are parallel and… (JEE Main - 2013)
  4. If sum of all the solutions of the equation 8cosx… (JEE Main - 2018)
  5. The sides of a triangle are in the ratio 1: √3 :2, then the angles…
  6. The greatest and least value of sin x cos x are…
  7. The number of solutions for the equation Sin 2x + Cos… (KCET - 2008)
  8. The number of solutions of the equation sin2x + 2sinx… (UPSEE - 2018)
  9. A tower subtends an angle of 30 at a point on the same level…
  10. Find the maximum and minimum values of…

Sample Questions

Ques. In a right-angled triangle, find the value of sec θ if tan θ is given as 3. (3 Marks)

Ans. Given that, Tan θ = 3.

Using the Secant Square X Formula,

sec2x = 1 + tan2x

sec2x = 1 + 32

sec2x = 1 + 9 = 10

Sec x = √10

Thus, the value of sec θ, if tan θ is given as 3, will be √10.

Ques. Using a Secant Formula, find Sec x if Cos x equals 4/5. (2 Marks)

Ans. It is known that Secant Function is the reciprocal of the Cosine Function. Thus, 

Sec x = 1 / Cos x

Sec x = 1 / (4/5)

Sec x = 5 / 4.

As a result, Sec x will have a value of 5/4 if Cos x equals 4/5.

Ques. Calculate the secant value of the angle in a right triangle with a hypotenuse of 13 units and an adjacent side of 5 units. (3 Marks)

Ans. Secant Function is defined as the ratio of the hypotenuse to the base in a right-angled triangle. 

Thus, 

Sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base

Substituting the values, we get

Sec θ = 13/5 

As a result, the value of the secant function is 13/5.

Ques. What is the value of Sec Square x, if tan x is 1/3? (2 Marks)

Ans. Tan x is given as 1/3. 

Using the Secant Square X Formula,

sec2x = 1 + tan2x

sec2x = 1 + (1/3)2

sec2x =1 + 1/9

= 10/9

Thus, sec2x = 10/9 if tan x is 1/3.

Ques. Simplify: (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin2A). (3 Marks)

Ans. The given expression is (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin2A).

Now, according to the Secant Square X Formula,

sec2x = 1 + tan2x

And, cos2A = 1 – sin2A

Substituting the values, we get

= (1 + tan2A)(1 – sin2A)

= sec2A . cos2A

= (1/cos2A) x cos2A

= 1

Thus, (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin2A) is equal to 1. 

Ques. What is the value of Sec Square x, if tan x is 4/5? (2 Marks)

Ans. Tan x is given as 4/5. 

Using the Secant Square X Formula,

sec2x = 1 + tan2x

= 1 + (4/5)2

= 1 + 16/25

= 41/25

Thus, sec2x = 41/25 when tan x is 4/5.

Ques. Simplify (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin A) (1 + sin A). (3 Marks)

Ans. The given expression is (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin A) (1 + sin A).

Using the (a+b) (a-b) = a2 – b2 identity, 

(1 – sin A) (1 + sin A) = 1 – sin2A

Now, substitute this value in the given expression, 

= (1 + tan2A)(1 – sin2A)

= sec2A x cos2A (As sec2x = 1 + tan2x, and cos2A = 1 – sin2A)

= (1/cos2A) x cos2A

= 1

Thus, (1 + tan2A) (1 – sin A) (1 + sin A) = 1.

Ques. Calculate the base of a right-angled triangle with a 20-unit hypotenuse and a 30-degree base angle. (3 Marks)

Ans. Given that, 

  • θ = 30 Degrees
  • Hypotenuse = 20 units

Using Secant Formula, 

Sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base

Sec 30 =20/B

2/√3 = 20/B (As Sec 30 = 1/√3)

B = (20 x √3) / 2

B = 10√3

As a result, a right-angle triangle's base side is 10√3 Units.

Ques. If the hypotenuse is 13 units, the base is 5 units, and the perpendicular is 12 units, find sec θ using the secant formula. (3 Marks)

Ans. Given that,

  • Perpendicular P = 12
  • Base B = 5
  • Hypotenuse H = 13

Using Secant Formula, 

Sec θ = Hypotenuse/Base

sec θ = 13/5

sec θ = 2.6

Therefore, sec θ is 2.6

Ques. Using Secant Formula, find Sec θ if Cos θ is given as 3/5.  (2 Marks)

Ans. It is given that Cos θ = 3/5

Now, it is known that Secant Function is the reciprocal of the Cosine Function. Thus, 

sec θ = (1/cos θ)

sec θ = 1/(3/5)

sec θ = 5/3

Therefore, sec θ is 5/3 if Cos θ = 3/5.

Ques. Prove that: (Sec X Sec Y + Tan X Tan Y )2 − ( Sec X Tan Y + Tan X Sec Y )2 = 1. (5 Marks)

Ans. LHS = (Sec X Sec Y + Tan X Tan Y )2 − ( Sec X Tan Y + Tan X Sec Y )2

= [(sec x sec y)2 + (tan x tan y)2 – 2(sec x sec y)(tan y x tan y)] - [(sec x tan y)2 + (tan x sec y)2 – 2(sec x tan y)(tan y x tan y)]

= [sec2 x sec2 y + tan2 x tan2 y – 2sec x sec y tan y x tan y] - [sec2 x tan2 y + tan2 x sec2 y – 2sec x tan y tan y x tan y]

= sec2x sec2 y + tan2x tan2 y – 2sec x sec y tan y x tan y - sec2 x tan2y + tan2 x sec2 y + 2sec x tan y tan y x tan y

= sec2x sec2 y + tan2x tan2y - sec2x tan2y + tan2 x sec2 y

= sec2x(sec2 y - tan2y) + tan2x(tan2 y - sec2 y)

= sec2x(sec2 y - tan2y) - tan2 x(sec2 y - tan2 y)

= sec2x(1) - tan2 x(1)

= sec2 x - tan2 x

= 1

RHS = 1

LHS = RHS

Hence Proved.


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CBSE CLASS XII Related Questions

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    At a birthday party, children are being served orange juice in conical cups, as shown in the figure. 


    Each cup is 15 cm deep and has a radius 5 cm. The juice is being poured into this cup at a rate of 0·1 cm3/s.
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      • 2.

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              • 4.
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                • 5.
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                    • 6.
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                        CBSE CLASS XII Previous Year Papers

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