1. **State the problem:** Verify the identity $$\frac{\sec^2 \theta - 1}{\sec^2 \theta} = ?$$ 2. **Recall the Pythagorean identity:** $$\tan^2 \theta + 1 = \sec^2 \theta$$ 3. **Rewrite the numerator using the identity:** $$\sec^2 \theta - 1 = \tan^2 \theta$$ 4. **Substitute into the original expression:** $$\frac{\sec^2 \theta - 1}{\sec^2 \theta} = \frac{\tan^2 \theta}{\sec^2 \theta}$$ 5. **Express secant in terms of cosine:** $$\sec \theta = \frac{1}{\cos \theta} \implies \sec^2 \theta = \frac{1}{\cos^2 \theta}$$ 6. **Substitute and simplify:** $$\frac{\tan^2 \theta}{\sec^2 \theta} = \tan^2 \theta \times \cos^2 \theta$$ 7. **Express tangent in terms of sine and cosine:** $$\tan \theta = \frac{\sin \theta}{\cos \theta} \implies \tan^2 \theta = \frac{\sin^2 \theta}{\cos^2 \theta}$$ 8. **Substitute and simplify:** $$\tan^2 \theta \times \cos^2 \theta = \frac{\sin^2 \theta}{\cos^2 \theta} \times \cos^2 \theta = \sin^2 \theta$$ 9. **Final result:** $$\frac{\sec^2 \theta - 1}{\sec^2 \theta} = \sin^2 \theta$$ **Answer:** The correct response is **sin² θ**.