1991 AHSME Problems/Problem 21

Problem

For all real numbers $x$ except $x=0$ and $x=1$ the function $f(x)$ is defined by $f(x/(x-1))=1/x$ . Suppose $0\leq t\leq \pi/2$ . What is the value of $f(\sec^2t)$ ?

$\text{(A) } sin^2\theta\quad \text{(B) } cos^2\theta\quad \text{(C) } tan^2\theta\quad \text{(D) } cot^2\theta\quad \text{(E) } csc^2\theta$

Solution

Let $y=\frac{x}{x-1} \Rightarrow xy-y=x \Rightarrow x=\frac{y}{y-1}$

$f(y)=\frac{1}{x}=\frac{y-1}{y}=1-\frac{1}{y}$

$f(sec^2t)=sin^2t$

$\fbox{A}$

1991 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 20	Followed by Problem 22
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1991 AHSME Problems/Problem 21

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