Q.The value of cot(cos−1257) is
(A) 2425
(B) 725
(C) 2524
(D) 247
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Trigonometric Simplification
Trigonometric Simplification
You know sin2x+cos2x=1 — but the skill of turning a messy trig expression into that kind of clean form is trigonometric simplification. Because sines, cosines and their relatives are all tied together by identities from the unit circle, a tangled combination can almost always be rewritten as something shorter: a single term, a constant, or an easier combination.
Your core toolkit
Pythagorean: sin2θ+cos2θ=1,1+tan2θ=sec2θ,1+cot2θ=csc2θ
Reciprocal: cscθ=sinθ1, secθ=cosθ1, cotθ=tanθ1
Quotient: tanθ=cosθsinθ,cotθ=sinθcosθ
How the process feels
Simplify 1+cosxsinx+sinx1+cosx. Over a common denominator the numerator is sin2x+(1+cosx)2=sin2x+1+2cosx+cos2x. The Pythagorean identity turns sin2x+cos2x into 1, giving 2+2cosx=2(1+cosx), so
sinx(1+cosx)2(1+cosx)=sinx2=2cscx.
A two-term sum collapses to one term.
Strategies that usually work
- Convert everything to sines and cosines — cancellations then appear.
- Spot Pythagorean pairs and replace them with 1 (or sec2, csc2).
- Factor and cancel as you would with ordinary algebra.
- Multiply by a conjugate — e.g. multiply 1+sinx1 by 1−sinx1−sinx to unlock a Pythagorean identity. …
Concept: Inverse trigonometric functions and right-triangle interpretation.
Let θ=cos−1257, so cosθ=257 and θ∈[0,π].
Step 1: Since cosθ=257, in a right triangle, adjacent side = 7, hypotenuse = 25.
Step 2: Opposite side = 252−72=625−49=576=24. …
The problem asks for cot(cos−1257). Interpret cos−1257 as an angle in a right triangle where adjacent = 7 and hypotenuse = 25. Using Pythagoras, opposite = 24, so cot=oppositeadjacent=247. The answer is option (D).
Concept first: When you see an inverse trigonometric function inside another trig function, the cleanest approach is to draw a right triangle. The expression cos−1257 means "the angle whose cosine is 257". Call that angle θ. Then cosθ=257. In a right triangle, cosine is adjacent over hypotenuse. So label the adjacent side as 7 and the hypotenuse as 25. The opposite side is then found by Pythagoras. Once you have all three sides, cotθ is simply adjacent over opposite.
This avoids messy algebraic manipulation and gives you the answer in seconds.
Step-by-step:
-
Let θ=cos−1257. Then cosθ=257. Since cos−1 returns an angle in [0,π], and 257>0, θ lies in the first quadrant. So all trig ratios are positive.
-
Draw a right triangle with angle θ. Label the side adjacent to θ as 7 and the hypotenuse as 25.
-
Use the Pythagorean theorem to find the opposite side:
opposite=252−72=625−49=576=24. …
Method: Trig ratio of an inverse-trig angle via a right triangle
For cot(cos−1k) and similar, treat the inverse function as "the angle whose cosine is k," build a right triangle from that ratio, and read off the requested ratio.
Steps
Step 1: Name the angle and record the given ratio.
Let θ=cos−1k, so cosθ=k. Since cos−1 returns an angle in [0,π], for k>0 the angle is acute and all ratios are positive.
Step 2: Label a right triangle.
Write cosθ=hypotenuseadjacent and assign those two sides directly from k (e.g. adjacent =7, hypotenuse =25).
Step 3: Find the missing side by Pythagoras.
opposite=hyp2−adj2. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Inverting the ratio and answering 724.
Why it's wrong: cotθ=oppositeadjacent=247, not adjacentopposite. Correct approach: cot=tan1, so it is adjacent over opposite.
Mistake 2: Confusing cot with csc or sec and using the hypotenuse. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 146 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.If A and B are positive acute angles satisfying 3cos2A+2cos2B=4 and sinB3sinA=cosA2cosB, then A+2B= (A) 30∘ (B) 45∘ (C) 60∘ (D) 90∘
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests combining two trig constraint equations using double-angle identities to pin down a specific angle sum. The result is A+2B=90∘.
Concept and Intuition
When given two independent trigonometric equations in two unknown angles, converting everything into double-angle form (via cos2θ=1−2sin2θ and sin2θ=2sinθcosθ) turns the problem into solving simultaneous equations in cos2A and cos2B (or equivalently sin2A,sin2B), using the Pythagorean identity to close the system.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Rewrite 3cos2A+2cos2B=4 using cos2θ=1−sin2θ: 3(1−sin2A)+2(1−sin2B)=4⟹5−3sin2A−2sin2B=4⟹3sin2A+2sin2B=1.
- So 3sin2A=1−2sin2B=cos2B. Call this Eq I: cos2B=3sin2A=23(1−cos2A).
- From the second given equation 3sinAcosA=2sinBcosB, i.e. 23sin2A=sin2B. Call this Eq II: sin2B=23sin2A.
- Substitute Eq I and Eq II into sin22B+cos22B=1:
(23sin2A)2+(23(1−cos2A))2=1
49[sin22A+(1−cos2A)2]=1
- Expand: sin22A+(1−cos2A)2=sin22A+1−2cos2A+cos22A=2−2cos2A. So 49⋅2(1−cos2A)=1⟹1−cos2A=92⟹cos2A=97. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If sin(πcosθ)=cos(πsinθ), then sin2θ= (A) ±43 (B) ±21 (C) ±31 (D) ±2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert cos to a co-function sin, equate arguments (mod 2π and the supplementary branch), then square to land on sin2θ=±43.
Concept and Intuition
sin(πcosθ)=cos(πsinθ) mixes sine and cosine of different bounded arguments. Rewriting the RHS as a sine via cosϕ=sin(2π−ϕ) lets us use the standard sinA=sinB⇒A=B or A=π−B (mod 2π) equivalence, and because πcosθ,πsinθ∈[−π,π] only the n=0 branch is achievable.
Step-by-Step Solution
- cos(πsinθ)=sin(2π−πsinθ).
- So sin(πcosθ)=sin(2π−πsinθ).
- Branch 1: πcosθ=2π−πsinθ+2nπ⇒cosθ+sinθ=21+2n. Since cosθ+sinθ∈[−2,2], only n=0 works: cosθ+sinθ=21.
- Branch 2: πcosθ=π−(2π−πsinθ)+2nπ⇒cosθ−sinθ=21+2n, and again only n=0: cosθ−sinθ=21. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.tan81∘−tan63∘−tan27∘+tan9∘= (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
A telescoping identity using cotθ−tanθ=2cot2θ turns this sum of four tangents of special angles into a clean constant: 4.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever you see tan(90∘−θ)−tanθ patterns, rewrite tan(90∘−θ)=cotθ and use the standard identity cotθ−tanθ=sinθcosθcos2θ−sin2θ=sin2θ2cos2θ=2cot2θ.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tan81∘=cot9∘ and tan63∘=cot27∘.
- So the expression =(cot9∘+tan9∘)−(cot27∘+tan27∘).
- Use cotθ+tanθ=sinθcosθcos2θ+sin2θ=sinθcosθ1=sin2θ2.
- So expression =sin18∘2−sin54∘2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.For n∈Z, a set of values of θ satisfying secθ−1=(2−1)tanθ is (A) 2nπ−4π (B) 2nπ+2π (C) (2n+1)π+4π (D) 2nπ+4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Clearing denominators and converting to half-angle form reduces the equation to tan(θ/2)=tan(π/8), giving θ=2nπ+π/4.
Concept and Intuition
secθ−1 and tanθ both vanish at θ=0, so factoring through half-angle identities (1−cosθ=2sin2(θ/2), sinθ=2sin(θ/2)cos(θ/2)) turns a mixed-function equation into a pure tan(θ/2) equation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Multiply both sides by cosθ: 1−cosθ=(2−1)sinθ.
- Substitute half-angle identities: 2sin22θ=(2−1)⋅2sin2θcos2θ.
- Assuming sin(θ/2)=0 (the trivial branch θ=2nπ is not among the answer choices, so we take the genuine oscillating branch): divide through to get tan2θ=2−1.
- Recall the exact value tan(π/8)=tan22.5∘=2−1. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.If u=logtan(4π+2θ), then tanh2u= (A) tan2θ (B) cot2θ (C) sec2θ (D) sin2θ
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is the classical Gudermannian-function identity: tanh(u/2)=tan(θ/2) when u=logtan(π/4+θ/2).
Concept and Intuition
The substitution u=logtan(π/4+θ/2) links circular and hyperbolic functions (used e.g. in the Mercator map projection). Converting tanh(u/2) into exponentials of u, then substituting eu, collapses everything back to a clean circular function of θ/2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- tanh2u=eu+1eu−1 (standard identity, since tanhx=e2x+1e2x−1 with x=u/2).
- Given u=logtan(4π+2θ), we have eu=tan(4π+2θ).
- Let t=tan(θ/2). Then tan(4π+2θ)=1−t1+t. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.The quadratic equation whose roots are cos72∘ and sin54∘ is (A) 4x2+5x−1=0 (B) 4x2+25x+1=0 (C) 4x2−25x+1=0 (D) x2−25x+4=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
This uses the exact surd values of cos36∘ and cos72∘ (from the golden-ratio pentagon geometry) to build a quadratic from sum and product of roots. The answer is (C).
Concept and Intuition
36∘ and 72∘ are special angles tied to the regular pentagon, and their cosines involve 5 (the golden ratio). Once we recognize sin54∘=cos36∘ (co-function identity), both roots become known surds, and building the quadratic is just x2−(sum)x+(product)=0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- sin54∘=sin(90∘−36∘)=cos36∘.
- Known exact values: cos36∘=45+1⋅1 — precisely cos36∘=41+5 (numerically ≈0.809, correct), and cos72∘=45−1 (numerically ≈0.309, correct).
- Roots: r1=cos72∘=45−1, r2=sin54∘=cos36∘=45+1.
- Sum =r1+r2=4(5−1)+(5+1)=425=25. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=1−3x2x+8x, then f(tan15∘)+f(tan20∘)= (A) 81+3 (B) 83(3+3) (C) 82+3 (D) 83(1+3)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The denominator 1−3x2 is designed to interact with the 60∘ triple-angle tangent identity — plugging in tan15∘ and tan20∘ each collapses f(x) to a clean closed form. The answer is (D).
Concept and Intuition
The triple angle formula tan3θ=1−3tan2θ3tanθ−tan3θ has exactly the denominator 1−3x2 that appears in f(x). If 3θ is a known angle (here 45∘ for θ=15∘, and 60∘ for θ=20∘), then x=tanθ satisfies a specific cubic obtained by clearing denominators in the triple-angle identity — and that cubic is exactly what's needed to simplify f(x) to a constant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For θ=15∘: 3θ=45∘, so tan45∘=1=1−3x23x−x3 where x=tan15∘. This gives 1−3x2=3x−x3, i.e. x3−3x2−3x+1=0.
- Suppose f(x)=1−3x2x+8x=k for a constant k. Then 1−3x2x=k−8x=88k−x, so 8x=(8k−x)(1−3x2). Trying k=83: 8x=(3−x)(1−3x2)=3−9x2−x+3x3, i.e. 3x3−9x2−9x+3=0, i.e. x3−3x2−3x+1=0 — exactly the equation from Step 1! So f(tan15∘)=83.
- For θ=20∘: 3θ=60∘, so tan60∘=3=1−3x23x−x3 where x=tan20∘. This gives 3(1−3x2)=3x−x3, i.e. x3−33x2−3x+3=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If A+B+C=π, then 3−2(cos2Acos2Bsin2C+cos2Asin2Bcos2C+sin2Acos2Bcos2C)= (A) sin2A+sin2B+sin2C (B) cos2A+cos2B+cos2C (C) sin22A+sin22B+sin22C (D) cos22A+cos22B+cos22C
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a standard triangle trig identity built from the sine-of-sum expansion at half-angles. The answer is (C).
Concept and Intuition
When A+B+C=π, the half-angles satisfy 2A+2B+2C=2π. Expanding sin of that sum using the standard three-term product expansion links the bracketed expression directly to sin2Asin2Bsin2C, and from there to the well-known triangle identity for the sum of sin2 of the half-angles.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let a=2A,b=2B,c=2C, so a+b+c=2π and sin(a+b+c)=1.
- Expand: sin(a+b+c)=sinacosbcosc+cosasinbcosc+cosacosbsinc−sinasinbsinc.
- The given bracket S=cosacosbsinc+cosasinbcosc+sinacosbcosc is exactly the first three terms of this expansion (just reordered). So 1=S−sinasinbsinc, giving S=1+sinasinbsinc.
- The expression asked for is 3−2S=3−2(1+sinasinbsinc)=1−2sinasinbsinc=1−2sin2Asin2Bsin2C.
- Recall the standard identity: sin22A+sin22B+sin22C=1−2sin2Asin2Bsin2C for a triangle.
- So 3−2S=sin22A+sin22B+sin22C, matching option (C). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.If 6sin2x=3cos4x−sin2xcos2x, then x= (A) 2nπ±3π ∀n∈Z (B) nπ±3π ∀n∈Z (C) nπ±6π ∀n∈Z (D) 2nπ±4π ∀n∈Z
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting cos2x=1−sin2x turns the equation into a quadratic in sin2x, and the valid root gives a standard sin2x=sin2α solution. The answer is (C).
Concept and Intuition
Any equation that's homogeneous in sinx,cosx (or reducible via cos2x=1−sin2x) to a polynomial in one trig function can be solved as an algebraic equation first, then converted to a general angle solution. Here, once we know sin2x equals a specific value, we use the identity that sin2x=sin2α⟺x=nπ±α.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let s=sin2x, so cos2x=1−s, and cos4x=(1−s)2.
- The equation 6sin2x=3cos4x−sin2xcos2x becomes 6s=3(1−s)2−s(1−s).
- Expand: 3(1−s)2=3−6s+3s2, and s(1−s)=s−s2. So RHS =3−6s+3s2−s+s2=3−7s+4s2.
- So 6s=3−7s+4s2⇒4s2−13s+3=0.
- Solve: s=813±169−48=813±11, giving s=3 or s=41.
- Since s=sin2x≤1, reject s=3. So sin2x=41=sin26π. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.1−cosθcosθ+1+secθsecθ= (A) 1+2tan2θ (B) sec2θ+csc2θ (C) tan2θ+cot2θ (D) 1+2cot2θ
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify the second term to a form with the same (1±cosθ) denominators as the first, combine, and reduce using sin2θ+cos2θ=1 and csc2θ=1+cot2θ. The sum simplifies to 1+2cot2θ.
Concept and Intuition
Many trig-identity problems become tractable once every term is rewritten in terms of sinθ and cosθ only — here, secθ=cosθ1 simplifies the second fraction dramatically, revealing a common structure with the first term (both end up over denominators built from 1±cosθ, whose product is sin2θ).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify the second term: 1+secθsecθ=1+1/cosθ1/cosθ=(cosθ+1)/cosθ1/cosθ=1+cosθ1.
- The expression becomes 1−cosθcosθ+1+cosθ1.
- Combine over the common denominator (1−cosθ)(1+cosθ)=1−cos2θ=sin2θ: sin2θcosθ(1+cosθ)+(1−cosθ)=sin2θcosθ+cos2θ+1−cosθ=sin2θ1+cos2θ. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-AN1 markMCQQ.For θ∈(0,2π), if the complete range of (cot2θ−cos2θ)(tan2θ−sin2θ) is (α,β] then β−α= (A) 1 (B) 21 (C) 41 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both factors collapse neatly to give the product cos2θsin2θ=41sin2(2θ), whose range on (0,π/2) is (0,41] — so β−α=41.
Concept and Intuition
Rather than expanding the product directly, it pays to simplify each bracket separately using cotθ=cosθ/sinθ and tanθ=sinθ/cosθ — each bracket turns out to be a perfect "difference into a single power" simplification, and multiplying the two results collapses everything into the well-known double-angle expression sin2(2θ)/4, whose range over a given domain is easy to reason about directly (rather than doing calculus on the original messy expression).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify the first bracket:
cot2θ−cos2θ=cos2θ(sin2θ1−1)=cos2θ⋅sin2θ1−sin2θ=cos2θ⋅sin2θcos2θ=sin2θcos4θ.
- Simplify the second bracket similarly:
tan2θ−sin2θ=sin2θ(cos2θ1−1)=sin2θ⋅cos2θsin2θ=cos2θsin4θ.
- Multiply the two results: sin2θcos4θ⋅cos2θsin4θ=cos2θsin2θ=41sin2(2θ). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.If tanx+cotx=6, then tan3x+cot3x= (A) 192 (B) 180 (C) 198 (D) 186
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the algebraic identity for the sum of cubes in terms of the sum, tan3x+cot3x=(tanx+cotx)3−3(tanx+cotx), since tanx⋅cotx=1 always.
Concept and Intuition
Whenever a problem gives you t+t1 and asks for t3+t31, the clean route is the algebraic identity a3+b3=(a+b)3−3ab(a+b), applied with a=t, b=1/t. Because t⋅t1=1 identically, the identity simplifies beautifully to t3+t31=(t+t1)3−3(t+t1) — no need to ever find tanx itself.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=tanx. Since cotx=1/tanx=1/t, the given condition is t+t1=6.
- We want t3+t31. Use a3+b3=(a+b)3−3ab(a+b) with a=t,b=t1, noting ab=1. …
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