Q.Prove that tan−141+tan−192=sin−151.
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Inverse Tangent Identities
The inverse tangent function obeys a family of addition and doubling identities that let you combine two arctangents into one. They come straight from the tangent addition formula, but they carry conditions you must respect.
The core addition identity
Start from tan(A+B)=1−tanAtanBtanA+tanB. Put A=tan−1x and B=tan−1y, so tanA=x and tanB=y. Then
tan−1x+tan−1y=tan−1(1−xyx+y),xy<1.
The restriction xy<1 keeps the combined angle inside the principal range (−π/2,π/2).
If xy>1 the raw formula lands in the wrong branch, so you must correct it:
tan−1x+tan−1y=π+tan−1(1−xyx+y) (x,y>0),
and −π+tan−1(⋅) when x,y<0. Ignoring this is the classic exam slip.
Subtraction
Replacing y with −y gives
tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−1(1+xyx−y),xy>−1.
The doubling identity
Set y=x in the addition formula:
2tan−1x=tan−1(1−x22x),−1<x<1.
The same angle can also be rewritten through sine and cosine, which is handy in integration and in proofs -- but each alternate form only matches 2tan−1x on part of its domain, so the two forms carry different conditions:
2tan−1x=sin−1(1+x22x),−1≤x≤1,
2tan−1x=cos−1(1+x21−x2),x≥0.
The cos−1 form needs x≥0 -- it fails for negative x. Check x=−1: 2tan−1(−1)=2(−4π)=−2π, but cos−1(1+11−1)=cos−1(0)=2π, the wrong sign entirely. The sin−1 form has no such restriction because sin−1 (unlike cos−1) can return a negative angle.
The complementary identity
For every real x,
tan−1x+cot−1x=2π.
This holds without restriction because tan−1 and cot−1 of the same value are complementary angles. …
Concept: Inverse Tangent Identity — Use tan−1x+tan−1y=tan−11−xyx+y when xy<1, then convert to sin−1.
Step 1: Apply the addition formula:
tan−141+tan−192=tan−1(1−41⋅9241+92)=tan−1(1−362369+8)=tan−1(34/3617/36)=tan−121. …
The problem is solved by applying the inverse tangent addition formula tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b (valid when ab<1). After simplifying the sum to tan−121, we convert it to sin−151 using a right-triangle relationship.
The core idea here is that adding two inverse tangents is messy, but there's a clean formula that turns the sum into a single inverse tangent. Once we have that single angle, we can find its sine directly from a right triangle.
The formula we need is:
tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b
This holds when ab<1; otherwise we must adjust by π.
Here a=41 and b=92, so ab=41⋅92=362=181, which is less than 1. So the formula applies without any extra π term.
- Apply the addition formula
tan−141+tan−192=tan−1(1−41⋅9241+92)
Compute the numerator:
41+92=369+368=3617
Compute the denominator:
1−181=1817
So the fraction inside becomes:
18173617=3617×1718=3618=21
Therefore:
tan−141+tan−192=tan−121
-
Now convert tan−121 to sin−151
Let θ=tan−121. Then tanθ=21.
Draw a right triangle where the opposite side is 1 and the adjacent side is 2. By Pythagoras, the hypotenuse is 12+22=5.
The sine of θ is opposite over hypotenuse:
sinθ=51 …
Method: Adding two inverse tangents, then converting to sin−1
For identities of the form tan−1p+tan−1q=sin−1r, first merge the two arctangents, then switch representation with a right triangle.
Steps
Step 1: Check the condition, then apply the addition formula.
tan−1p+tan−1q=tan−1(1−pqp+q),pq<1.
Verify pq<1 so no +π correction is needed.
Step 2: Simplify the single arctangent.
Reduce 1−pqp+q to lowest terms — call it tan−1nm. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Applying the addition formula without checking pq<1.
Why it's wrong: if pq>1 a +π correction is needed. Correct approach: here pq=41⋅92=181<1, so tan−141+tan−192=tan−121 directly.
Mistake 2: Arithmetic slip in 1−pqp+q.
Why it's wrong: mis-adding 41+92 or 1−181 derails the result. Correct approach: 17/1817/36=21, so the sum is tan−121. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 34 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.4tan−151−tan−1701+tan−1991= (A) 12π (B) 6π (C) 4π (D) 3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a Machin-like arctangent identity that evaluates exactly to π/4.
Concept and Intuition
Sums/differences of tan−1 terms with small reciprocal arguments often combine (via repeated use of tan−1p−tan−1q=tan−11+pqp−q and the double/quadruple-angle formula for tangent) into a single nice angle like π/4. These are the classical 'Machin-type' formulas historically used to compute π.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First combine 4tan−151 using the double-angle formula for tan twice: with tanα=51, tan2α=1−2512⋅51=24/252/5=125, and tan4α=1−144252⋅125=119/1445/6=119120.
- So 4tan−151=tan−1119120 (in the correct quadrant, since 119120 is only slightly bigger than 1, the angle is just over π/4).
- Now combine tan−1119120−tan−1701 using tan−1p−tan−1q=tan−11+pqp−q: numerator 119120−701=119⋅70120⋅70−119=83308400−119=83308281; denominator 1+119⋅70120=1+8330120=83308450. Ratio =84508281. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.sin[2tan−1(21)+sin−1(53)]= (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 21 (D) 23
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert both inverse-trig terms into a single angle's sine/cosine using right-triangle ratios, then apply the sine addition formula; the sum evaluates neatly to 1.
Concept and Intuition
When adding two inverse trig angles, the cleanest approach is to name each one, extract its sine and cosine from the implied right triangle, then use the standard addition formula sin(A+B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB — never try to add the angles numerically.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let φ=tan−1(21). In a right triangle, opposite =1, adjacent =2, hypotenuse =5.
- Use the double-angle identity tan2φ=1−tan2φ2tanφ=1−(1/4)2(1/2)=3/41=34.
- Since φ∈(0,π/4) (as tanφ=1/2<1), 2φ∈(0,π/2), so this is a genuine first-quadrant angle: with opposite 4, adjacent 3, hypotenuse 5, giving sin2φ=4/5, cos2φ=3/5.
- Let ψ=sin−1(3/5), so sinψ=3/5 and (principal branch, first quadrant) cosψ=4/5. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.tan−115+18−215+tan−151= (A) 6π (B) 4π (C) 3π (D) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests simplifying a nested surd inside an inverse trig function, then adding two inverse-tangent values. The answer is (A).
Concept and Intuition
A nested surd of the form a+b−2ab always simplifies to ∣a−b∣. Recognizing 8−215 as this form with a=5,b=3 turns an ugly expression into a clean one, after which the sum of the two arctangents can be identified as a standard angle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Write 8−215=5+3−25⋅3=(5−3)2, so 8−215=5−3 (positive since 5>3).
- The first term becomes tan−115+15−3.
- Numerically: 5≈2.236, 3≈1.732, 15≈3.873. So the argument ≈4.8730.504≈0.1034, giving the first term ≈5.91°. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.sin(Tan−11712+Tan−1295)= (A) 1 (B) 21 (C) 23 (D) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the sine-addition formula built from two inverse-tangent right triangles; the arithmetic collapses very neatly since 866=2×433.
Concept and Intuition
tan−11712 is the angle of a right triangle with opposite 12, adjacent 17, hypotenuse 122+172=433. Similarly tan−1295 gives a triangle with hypotenuse 52+292=866. Once we have sin and cos of both angles, the sum formula does the rest — no need to ever find the angles themselves.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let A=tan−11712: sinA=43312, cosA=43317 (since 122+172=144+289=433).
- Let B=tan−1295: sinB=8665, cosB=86629 (since 52+292=25+841=866).
- sin(A+B)=sinAcosB+cosAsinB=43386612(29)+17(5)=433⋅866348+85=433⋅866433. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.Tan−12+Tan−13= (A) −4π (B) 4π (C) 43π (D) 45π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Adding two inverse-tangent principal values whose tangent-sum formula gives −1, the actual sum is 3π/4 (not −π/4), because both individual angles are obtuse-leaning acute angles summing past π/2.
Concept and Intuition
The tangent addition formula only gives tan(A+B), not A+B directly — since tangent is periodic with period π, we must use the actual sizes of A=tan−12 and B=tan−13 (each in (0,π/2), and in fact each >π/4 since tan>1) to determine which branch the sum falls into.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let A=tan−12, B=tan−13; both lie in (π/4,π/2) since tanA=2>1,tanB=3>1.
- tan(A+B)=1−tanAtanBtanA+tanB=1−62+3=−55=−1.
- Since A,B∈(π/4,π/2), their sum A+B∈(π/2,π). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.Tan−1(21)+Tan−1(81)+Tan−1(181)+Tan−1(321)= (A) Tan−1(53) (B) Tan−1(85) (C) Tan−1(43) (D) Tan−1(54)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognize the telescoping identity tan−12n21=tan−12n−11−tan−12n+11; the four given terms (n=1,2,3,4) telescope down to tan−11−tan−191=tan−154.
Concept and Intuition
The denominators 2,8,18,32 are exactly 2⋅12, 2⋅22, 2⋅32, 2⋅42 — a strong hint to use the identity tan−1a−tan−1b=tan−11+aba−b in reverse: for consecutive odd-reciprocal terms 2n−11 and 2n+11, their difference is exactly tan−12n21. This turns the whole sum into a telescoping series where all the intermediate terms cancel.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Verify the identity for general n: 1+(2n−1)(2n+1)12n−11−2n+11=4n2−14n2−1+14n2−12=4n22=2n21. So tan−12n21=tan−12n−11−tan−12n+11.
- Apply with n=1,2,3,4:
- tan−121=tan−11−tan−131
- tan−181=tan−131−tan−151
- tan−1181=tan−151−tan−171
- tan−1321=tan−171−tan−191
- Summing all four, the intermediate terms tan−131,tan−151,tan−171 cancel in pairs (telescoping), leaving: …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.If θ=Tan−1(31)+Tan−1(71)+Tan−1(131)+Tan−1(211)+Tan−1(311), then tanθ= (A) 53 (B) 1 (C) 75 (D) 97
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing 3,7,13,21,31 as the sequence n2+n+1 turns each arctan term into a telescoping difference arctan(n+1)−arctann. Answer: tanθ=5/7.
Concept and Intuition
The telescoping arctan identity arctan(n+1)−arctann=arctan1+n(n+1)1=arctann2+n+11 turns a long sum of small-angle arctangents into just the first and last terms — a huge simplification once the denominators are recognized as n2+n+1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Check the denominators: for n=1,2,3,4,5, n2+n+1=3,7,13,21,31 — exactly matching the given series.
- Use tan−1(n+1)−tan−1n=tan−11+n(n+1)(n+1)−n=tan−1n2+n+11.
- So θ=n=1∑5[tan−1(n+1)−tan−1n], which telescopes: all middle terms cancel, leaving θ=tan−16−tan−11.
- tan−11=π/4, so θ=tan−16−π/4. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-AN1 markMCQQ.What is the value of Sin−11312+Cos−154+Tan−11663= (A) π (B) 2π (C) 6π (D) 43π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The three inverse-trig terms telescope to exactly π because the first two sum to 180∘ minus the third.
Concept and Intuition
sin−11312 is the acute angle with sine 1312, cosine 135, tangent 512. cos−154 is the acute angle with cosine 54, sine 53, tangent 43. Adding two acute angles whose tangent-sum formula gives a negative tangent tells us their sum exceeds 90∘ — a classic trick for handling sums of inverse trig terms without a calculator.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let α=sin−11312 (so tanα=512) and β=cos−154 (so tanβ=43).
- tan(α+β)=1−tanαtanβtanα+tanβ=1−512⋅43512+43=−20162063=−1663.
- Since α≈67.4∘,β≈36.9∘, their sum α+β≈104.3∘∈(90∘,180∘), where tangent is negative — consistent. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.sin(2tan−1(31))+cos(tan−122)= (A) 1516 (B) 1514 (C) 1511 (D) 158
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests reading sine/cosine of an inverse-tangent angle off a right triangle, then applying the double-angle sine formula. The sum evaluates to 14/15.
Concept and Intuition
Given tan−1(p/q), build the right triangle with opposite p, adjacent q, hypotenuse p2+q2; then any trig function of that angle is a direct ratio of the triangle's sides. This avoids working with inverse functions directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let α=tan−1(1/3): right triangle with opposite 1, adjacent 3, hypotenuse 1+9=10. So sinα=101, cosα=103.
- sin2α=2sinαcosα=2⋅101⋅103=106=53. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If 21sin−1(5+4cos2θ3sin2θ)=tan−1x then x= (A) tan3θ (B) 31tanθ (C) tan3θ (D) 31tan3θ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite the inverse-sine argument as sin(2ϕ) for a suitable tanϕ built from tanθ, so the half of the inverse sine collapses to tan−1 of that quantity directly. Answer: x=31tanθ.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions of the form A+Bcos2θksin2θ can often be massaged, after dividing through by (1+tan2θ) i.e. converting to t=tanθ, into the recognizable double-angle sine pattern 1+u22u=sin(2tan−1u) for some rescaled variable u. Spotting this pattern converts an awkward inverse-trig expression into a clean angle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=tanθ. Recall sin2θ=1+t22t, cos2θ=1+t21−t2.
- Numerator: 3sin2θ=1+t26t.
- Denominator: 5+4cos2θ=5+1+t24(1−t2)=1+t25(1+t2)+4(1−t2)=1+t29+t2.
- So the ratio is (9+t2)/(1+t2)6t/(1+t2)=9+t26t.
- Let u=t/3. Then 1+u22u=1+t2/92t/3=(9+t2)/92t/3=9+t26t — exactly matches!
- So 9+t26t=sin(2ϕ) where tanϕ=u=t/3, i.e. ϕ=tan−1(3tanθ). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQQ.Tan−1(−2)−Tan−1(3) is equal to (A) 43π (B) 6−π (C) 6π (D) 4−3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert to −(tan−12+tan−13) and apply the addition formula (with the +π correction since ab>1) to get −43π.
Concept and Intuition
tan−1 is an odd function, so tan−1(−x)=−tan−1(x). The standard addition formula tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b needs a +π correction whenever a,b>0 and ab>1, because then the true sum exceeds π/2 while the raw arctan formula would return a negative principal value.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tan−1(−2)=−tan−1(2), so the expression becomes −tan−1(2)−tan−1(3).
- Compute tan−12+tan−13. Here a=2,b=3, ab=6>1, both positive, so use tan−1a+tan−1b=π+tan−11−aba+b.
- 1−aba+b=1−65=−55=−1, and tan−1(−1)=−4π. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.Match the items of List - I with those of List - II List - I: A. Tan−13+Tan−1x=Tan−18⇒x= B. Sin−1x−Cos−1x=6π⇒x= C. Sin−154+2Tan−131= D. tan(Sec−1x1)=sin(Tan−12),x>0⇒x= List - II: I. 35 II. 51 III. 23 IV. 2π V. 3π The Correct Match is: (A) A-I, B-III, C-V, D-IV (B) A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I (C) A-III, B-II, C-IV, D-V (D) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-V
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a match-the-column on inverse trig identities. Answer: A-II, B-III, C-IV, D-I.
Concept and Intuition
Each item reduces via a standard inverse-trig identity: the tangent-addition formula, the complementary relation sin−1x+cos−1x=π/2, the double-angle formula for tan−1, and converting sec−1/tan−1 expressions into a right-triangle ratio.
Step-by-Step Solution
A. tan−13+tan−1x=tan−18. Take tangent of both sides: 1−3x3+x=8⇒3+x=8−24x⇒25x=5⇒x=51. Matches II.
B. sin−1x−cos−1x=6π, and always sin−1x+cos−1x=2π. Adding: 2sin−1x=2π+6π=32π⇒sin−1x=3π⇒x=sin3π=23. Matches III.
C. sin−154=tan−134 (right triangle with opposite 4, hypotenuse 5, adjacent 3). Also 2tan−131: using tan2θ=1−tan2θ2tanθ=1−1/92/3=8/92/3=43, so 2tan−131=tan−143. Sum =tan−134+tan−143; since 34×43=1 (reciprocal tangents), this sum is 2π. Matches IV. …
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