Q.If a1,a2,a3,…,an is an arithmetic progression with common difference d, then evaluate the following expression: tan[tan−11+a1a2d+tan−11+a2a3d+tan−11+a3a4d+⋯+tan−11+an−1and].
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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: Telescoping sum using the identity
tan−11+akak+1d=tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak, valid for an AP with common difference d.
Step 1: For an AP, ak+1−ak=d. The identity
tan−11+xyx−y=tan−1x−tan−1y gives
tan−11+akak+1d=tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak.
Step 2: Summing from k=1 to n−1 telescopes:
∑k=1n−1(tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak)=tan−1an−tan−1a1. …
The key idea is that each term tan−11+akak+1d telescopes into tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak using the formula for tan−1x−tan−1y. The sum collapses to tan−1an−tan−1a1, and the final tangent simplifies to 1+a1an(n−1)d.
We have an arithmetic progression a1,a2,…,an with common difference d. So ak+1=ak+d for each k.
The expression inside the outer tan is a sum of arctangents. The trick is to rewrite each term so that consecutive terms cancel.
Recall the identity for the difference of two arctangents:
tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−11+xyx−y
provided xy>−1 (which holds here for typical AP values, but we proceed formally).
Notice that for any two consecutive terms ak and ak+1, we have ak+1−ak=d. So
tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak=tan−11+akak+1d.
That is exactly the k-th term of the sum! So each term in the sum is a difference:
tan−11+akak+1d=tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak.
Now the whole sum becomes:
∑k=1n−1(tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak).
This is a telescoping series. Write it out:
- For k=1: tan−1a2−tan−1a1
- For k=2: tan−1a3−tan−1a2
- ...
- For k=n−1: tan−1an−tan−1an−1 …
Method: Telescoping a sum of arctangents
Use this whenever you meet a long sum ∑tan−11+akak+1d: rewrite each term as a difference of two arctangents so that consecutive terms cancel, leaving only the first and last.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the difference identity hidden in each term.
Recall
tan−1p−tan−1q=tan−11+pqp−q,pq>−1.
Match the general term tan−11+akak+1d to the right side with p=ak+1, q=ak, since the numerator ak+1−ak equals the common difference d for an AP.
Step 2: Split every term into a difference.
Each summand becomes
tan−11+akak+1d=tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak.
Step 3: Telescope the sum.
Adding from k=1 to n−1, every interior tan−1ak cancels, leaving only the endpoints: …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Splitting each term as tan−1ak−tan−1ak+1 (wrong order).
Why it's wrong: the numerator ak+1−ak=d forces tan−1ak+1−tan−1ak; reversing it introduces a sign error and the sum won't telescope to the right endpoints. Correct approach: match tan−11+pqp−q=tan−1p−tan−1q with p=ak+1, q=ak.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the outer tangent and stopping at tan−1an−tan−1a1. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 34 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If tan−1[1+1.21]+tan−1[1+2.31]+⋯+tan−1[1+n(n+1)1]=tan−1[x], then x= (A) n+11 (B) n+1n (C) n+21 (D) n+2n
›Reveal solutionSolution
Each term telescopes as tan−1(k+1)−tan−1(k); summing collapses the whole series to tan−1(n+2n), so x=n+2n.
Concept and Intuition
The key identity is tan−11+k(k+1)1=tan−1(k+1)−tan−1k, which follows from the tangent subtraction formula tan−1p−tan−1q=tan−11+pqp−q applied with p=k+1,q=k. Once each term is in this "difference" form, the whole sum telescopes, leaving only the first and last pieces.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Verify the telescoping identity: tan−1(k+1)−tan−1(k)=tan−11+(k+1)k(k+1)−k=tan−11+k(k+1)1. ✓ matches each term's form (with k=1,2,…,n).
- So the sum ∑k=1ntan−11+k(k+1)1=∑k=1n[tan−1(k+1)−tan−1(k)].
- This telescopes: all intermediate terms cancel, leaving tan−1(n+1)−tan−1(1).
- Apply the subtraction formula again: tan−1(n+1)−tan−1(1)=tan−11+(n+1)(1)(n+1)−1=tan−1n+2n. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.cot(n=1∑50Tan−1(1+n+n21))= (A) 2526 (B) 2625 (C) 5150 (D) 5152
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a telescoping sum of inverse tangents; the sum collapses to tan−151−tan−11, and its cotangent is 26/25.
Concept and Intuition
The identity tan−1(n+1)−tan−1(n)=tan−1(1+n(n+1)1) (from the tangent subtraction formula) turns each term of the sum into a telescoping difference, so almost every intermediate value cancels, leaving only the first and last terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Note 1+n+n2=1+n(n+1), matching the tangent-subtraction denominator form 1+ab with a=n+1,b=n.
- So tan−1(1+n+n21)=tan−1(n+1)−tan−1(n).
- Summing from n=1 to 50 telescopes: ∑n=150[tan−1(n+1)−tan−1(n)]=tan−1(51)−tan−1(1).
- Let θ=tan−1(51), so tanθ=51. We need cot(θ−4π). …
- 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 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−11+2x2x+Tan−11+6x2x+Tan−11+12x2x, then (dxdy)x=21= (A) 1 (B) −1 (C) 0 (D) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognize the telescoping arctan pattern to collapse y to arctan(4x)−arctan(x); the derivative at x=21 is 0.
Concept and Intuition
The identity arctanA−arctanB=arctan1+ABA−B (mod branch issues) means a sum like arctan1+n(n+1)x2x, recognized as arctan((n+1)x)−arctan(nx), telescopes when summed over consecutive n — a huge simplification before ever differentiating.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Check the general term: arctan((n+1)x)−arctan(nx)=arctan1+n(n+1)x2(n+1)x−nx=arctan1+n(n+1)x2x.
- Match given terms: 1+2x2x has n(n+1)=2⇒n=1; 1+6x2x has n(n+1)=6⇒n=2; 1+12x2x has n(n+1)=12⇒n=3.
- So y=[arctan2x−arctanx]+[arctan3x−arctan2x]+[arctan4x−arctan3x]=arctan4x−arctanx (everything else cancels). …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-06-AN1 markMCQQ.n→∞limr=1∑ncot−1(r2+43)= (A) cot−12 (B) cot−131 (C) tan−12 (D) tan−131
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewriting each term as a difference of two arctangents makes the sum telescope; taking the limit as n→∞ gives tan−12.
Concept and Intuition
Sums of tan−1 or cot−1 terms with a quadratic argument like r2+c often telescope, because r2+43=1+(r+21)(r−21) matches the arctangent subtraction identity tan−1A−tan−1B=tan−11+ABA−B with A=r+21, B=r−21 (so A−B=1).
Step-by-Step Solution
- cot−1(r2+43)=tan−1r2+3/41.
- Let A=r+21, B=r−21: then AB=r2−41, so 1+AB=r2+43, and A−B=1.
- So tan−1r2+3/41=tan−11+ABA−B=tan−1A−tan−1B=tan−1(r+21)−tan−1(r−21).
- Sum from r=1 to n telescopes: ∑r=1n[tan−1(r+21)−tan−1(r−21)]=tan−1(n+21)−tan−1(21). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.tan(2Tan−1(31)+Tan−1(71))= (A) 31 (B) 3 (C) 1 (D) 3/7
›Reveal solutionSolution
First reduce the double-angle inverse-tangent term to a single tangent value using the tangent double-angle formula, then combine with the second tan−1 term using the tangent addition formula. The result is exactly 1.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions like tan(2tan−1x+tan−1y) are handled in two stages: first collapse 2tan−1x to a single angle whose tangent is known via the double-angle formula tan2α=1−tan2α2tanα, then treat the whole thing as tan(α′+β) using the standard addition formula, where α′ is the angle with tanα′=tan(2tan−1x).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let α=tan−1(1/3), so tanα=1/3. Then tan2α=1−tan2α2tanα=1−1/92/3=8/92/3=32×89=2418=43.
- Let β=tan−1(1/7), so tanβ=1/7.
- We need tan(2α+β)=1−tan2αtanβtan2α+tanβ=1−43⋅7143+71. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQQ.dxd(Tan−1(1+sinxcosx))= (A) 21 (B) 2−1 (C) 1 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the argument to a single tangent of a half-angle expression, then differentiate. Answer: −21.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions like 1+sinxcosx are classic half-angle simplifications that collapse to tan(4π−2x), letting the inverse tangent cancel with the tangent directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Multiply numerator and denominator by (1−sinx): 1+sinxcosx=1−sin2xcosx(1−sinx)=cos2xcosx(1−sinx)=cosx1−sinx.
- This is a known identity: cosx1−sinx=tan(4π−2x). …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−1(1+2x2x)+Tan−1(1+6x2x), then dxdy= (A) 16x2+14−9x2+13 (B) 9x2+13−x2+11 (C) 9x2+13−4x2+12 (D) 9x2+11−x2+11
›Reveal solutionSolution
Recognizing each arctan term as a telescoping difference tan−1(2x)−tan−1(x) and tan−1(3x)−tan−1(2x) collapses y to tan−13x−tan−1x, whose derivative is immediate.
Concept and Intuition
Terms of the form tan−1(1+aba−b) are exactly tan−1a−tan−1b (the tangent subtraction identity, valid when ab>−1). Spotting this pattern turns an awkward-looking sum into a telescoping simplification, avoiding messy direct differentiation of nested rational-argument arctans.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Compare 1+2x2x to the form 1+aba−b: try a=2x,b=x, giving 1+2x⋅x2x−x=1+2x2x ✓. So
tan−1(1+2x2x)=tan−1(2x)−tan−1(x)
- Compare 1+6x2x similarly: try a=3x,b=2x, giving 1+3x⋅2x3x−2x=1+6x2x ✓. So
tan−1(1+6x2x)=tan−1(3x)−tan−1(2x)
- Add the two:
y=[tan−12x−tan−1x]+[tan−13x−tan−12x]=tan−13x−tan−1x
(the tan−12x terms cancel — a telescoping sum).
4. Differentiate: …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=Tan−1{bx+aax−b}, then y′= _______ (A) 1+x21+a2+b2a2 (B) 1+x21 (C) 1+(bx+aax−b)21 (D) 1+(ax−b)2bx+a
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests differentiating an arctangent of a Möbius-type expression, which (as often happens) collapses to the simple form 1+x21. Answer: 1+x21.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions of the form Tan−1(bx+aax−b) often equal Tan−1(x)−Tan−1(b/a) up to a constant (since bx+aax−b=x+babax−1 resembles tan(α−β) with a constant angle β), so its derivative should reduce to just 1+x21 — the constant angle contributes zero derivative.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=bx+aax−b. By the quotient rule, u′=(bx+a)2a(bx+a)−(ax−b)b=(bx+a)2abx+a2−abx+b2=(bx+a)2a2+b2.
- Compute 1+u2=1+(bx+a)2(ax−b)2=(bx+a)2(bx+a)2+(ax−b)2. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If θ=2tan−181+2tan−151+tan−171 and tan2θ=m+n where m and n are positive integers such that m<n then (mn+nm)m+n= (A) 18 (B) 27 (C) 25 (D) 36
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplifying the sum of inverse tangents gives θ=π/4, so tan(θ/2)=tan(π/8)=2−1; with m=1,n=2 this gives (mn+nm)m+n=27.
Concept and Intuition
Repeated use of the tangent addition formula tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−1(1−aba+b) collapses the sum of arctangents into a single, simple angle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tan−181+tan−151=tan−1(1−1/401/8+1/5)=tan−1(39/4013/40)=tan−131.
- So 2tan−181+2tan−151=2tan−131.
- Double-angle: tan(2tan−131)=1−912⋅31=8/92/3=43, so 2tan−131=tan−143.
- θ=tan−143+tan−171=tan−1(1−3/283/4+1/7)=tan−1(25/2825/28)=tan−1(1)=4π. …
- 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. …
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