Q.The result tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−1(1+xyx−y) is true when value of xy is __________.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Inverse Tangent Identity
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. …
The key idea is the domain condition for the standard formula for the difference of inverse tangents.
The formula
tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−1(1+xyx−y)
holds only when xy>−1. …
The formula tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−1(1+xyx−y) holds only when xy>−1. This condition ensures the sum/difference of angles stays within the principal value range of tan−1.
Why this condition matters
The inverse tangent function tan−1 (also written as arctan) returns an angle in the principal branch: (−2π,2π). When we combine two such angles by addition or subtraction, the result must also lie in this interval for the formula to be valid directly.
The standard identity for the tangent of a difference is:
tan(A−B)=1+tanAtanBtanA−tanB
If we set x=tanA and y=tanB, then A=tan−1x and B=tan−1y (taking principal values). So:
tan(tan−1x−tan−1y)=1+xyx−y
Taking tan−1 on both sides gives:
tan−1x−tan−1y=tan−1(1+xyx−y)
but only if tan−1x−tan−1y itself lies in (−2π,2π). Otherwise, we need to add or subtract π to bring it into the principal range.
Step-by-step reasoning
-
Understand the domain of tan−1
The principal value of tan−1 is always in (−2π,2π). So both tan−1x and tan−1y are angles strictly between −2π and 2π.
-
When does the difference stay in (−2π,2π)?
The difference of two numbers each in (−2π,2π) can be as large as nearly π (if one is near 2π and the other near −2π) or as small as −π. So it can fall outside the principal range.
-
Relate the condition to xy
Consider the sign of 1+xy. The denominator 1+xy in the formula determines whether the angle sum/difference crosses 2π or −2π.
- If xy>−1, then 1+xy>0. The angle tan−1x−tan−1y lies in (−2π,2π), so the formula holds as written. …
Method: State the domain condition for an inverse-tangent difference
Steps
Step 1: Derive the raw relation.
With A=tan−1x and B=tan−1y, the tangent-of-a-difference formula gives tan(A−B)=1+xyx−y.
Step 2: Ask when applying tan−1 recovers A−B directly. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming the formula always holds.
Why it's wrong: for xy<−1 the right side lands in the wrong branch (off by π), and xy=−1 makes the denominator zero. Correct approach: require xy>−1.
Mistake 2: Quoting xy<1 (the addition-formula condition). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 34 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=tan−1(bcosx+asinxacosx−bsinx), then dxdy= ______ (A) 0 (B) ba (C) −1 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Tests recognizing an acosx−bsinx / bcosx+asinx ratio as a shifted cotangent using the auxiliary-angle (R-method) substitution, collapsing the arctan to a linear function of x.
Concept and Intuition
Expressions like acosx−bsinx can always be written as rcos(x+ϕ) for suitable r=a2+b2 and angle ϕ with a=rcosϕ, b=rsinϕ. Once both numerator and denominator are expressed this way, their ratio collapses to a simple trig ratio in (x+ϕ), and the arctan of that becomes an explicit linear expression in x — making differentiation trivial.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let a=rcosϕ, b=rsinϕ where r=a2+b2.
- Numerator: acosx−bsinx=rcosϕcosx−rsinϕsinx=rcos(x+ϕ).
- Denominator: bcosx+asinx=rsinϕcosx+rcosϕsinx=rsin(x+ϕ).
- Ratio: rsin(x+ϕ)rcos(x+ϕ)=cot(x+ϕ)=tan(2π−(x+ϕ)). …
- 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 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If the equation 2cot−1(x2+2x+k)=π−3tan−1(x2+2x+k) has two distinct real solutions, then all the values of k lie in the interval (A) (−1,2) (B) (1,∞) (C) (−∞,∞) (D) (−∞,1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The inverse-trig equation collapses, via the identity cot−1t+tan−1t=π/2, into the purely algebraic condition x2+2x+k=0; the question then just asks when this quadratic has two distinct real roots.
Concept and Intuition
tan−1t and cot−1t are complementary for every real t: cot−1t=π/2−tan−1t. Substituting this converts a mixed inverse-trig equation into a single equation in tan−1t alone, which resolves to a specific numeric value of t. Once t is pinned to a number, the "two distinct real solutions" condition is just the familiar discriminant test on the quadratic t(x)=x2+2x+k.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let t=x2+2x+k (real for every real x).
- Given: 2cot−1t=π−3tan−1t.
- Substitute cot−1t=2π−tan−1t: 2(2π−tan−1t)=π−3tan−1t.
- Expand: π−2tan−1t=π−3tan−1t.
- Cancel π: −2tan−1t=−3tan−1t⇒tan−1t=0⇒t=0. …
- 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 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=tan−1(1+x2−1−x21+x2+1−x2), where x2≤1. Then find dxdy (A) 4π+21cos−1(x2) (B) 4π−21cos−1(x2) (C) 1−x4−x (D) 1−x4−2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting x2=cosφ collapses the expression to y=π/4+21cos−1(x2), whose derivative is 1−x4−x.
Concept and Intuition
Nested-radical inverse-trig expressions like this are almost always designed to simplify via a trig substitution that turns 1±x2 into 2cos or 2sin of a half-angle, converting the whole ratio into a single tangent — much easier to differentiate than the raw radical expression.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x2=cosφ (valid since x2≤1). Then 1+x2=2cos2(φ/2) and 1−x2=2sin2(φ/2).
- So 1+x2=2cos(φ/2) and 1−x2=2sin(φ/2).
- The ratio becomes cos(φ/2)−sin(φ/2)cos(φ/2)+sin(φ/2)=1−tan(φ/2)1+tan(φ/2)=tan(4π+2φ).
- So y=tan−1[tan(4π+2φ)]=4π+2φ=4π+21cos−1(x2). …
- 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 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-FN1 markMCQQ.The number of real solutions of the equation tan−1x(x+1)+sin−1x2+x+1=2π is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) Infinitely many
›Reveal solutionSolution
The domain restrictions of tan−1⋅ and sin−1⋅ force x(x+1)=0, giving exactly two real solutions, x=0 and x=−1.
Concept and Intuition
Before manipulating an inverse-trig equation, always pin down the domain first — here the two square roots and the sin−1 range constraint do almost all the work.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=x2+x=x(x+1). For tan−1y to be real we need y≥0.
- Note x2+x+1=y+1. For sin−1y+1 to be defined we need 0≤y+1≤1, i.e. −1≤y≤0.
- Combining y≥0 and y≤0 forces y=0 exactly. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.The real values of x that satisfy the equation tan−1x+tan−12x=4π is (A) 4−3±17 (B) −1±3 (C) 3−1 (D) 417−3
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to apply the inverse tangent addition formula tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b (with a domain check) and then solve the resulting quadratic, finally verifying which solutions satisfy the original equation. The only valid solution is 417−3, which corresponds to option (D).
We start with the equation
tan−1x+tan−12x=4π.
1. Recall the inverse tangent addition formula
For real numbers a and b with ab=1, we have
tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b+kπ,
where k is an integer chosen so that the sum lies in (−π/2,π/2) (the principal range of arctan).
Since the right-hand side is π/4, which is within (−π/2,π/2), we can safely take k=0 provided the sum of the two angles is indeed in that interval. We’ll check this later.
2. Apply the formula
Set a=x, b=2x. Then
tan−1x+tan−12x=tan−11−x⋅2xx+2x=tan−11−2x23x.
Thus the equation becomes
tan−11−2x23x=4π.
3. Remove the arctangent
Taking tangent of both sides (valid because both sides lie in (−π/2,π/2) for the moment), we get
1−2x23x=tan4π=1.
4. Solve the resulting equation
1−2x23x=1⇒3x=1−2x2.
Rearrange:
2x2+3x−1=0.
Solve using the quadratic formula:
x=4−3±9+8=4−3±17.
So the two candidates are
x1=4−3+17,x2=4−3−17.
5. Check domain and validity
We must ensure that for each candidate, the original sum of arctangents actually equals π/4 (not π/4+π or something else).
- For x2=4−3−17: …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.The number of solutions of Tan−11+21Cos−1x2−Tan−1(1+x2−1−x21+x2+1−x2)=0 is (A) 3 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) infinitely many
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests simplifying an inverse-trig expression via a trigonometric substitution, revealing that the equation is actually an identity over its whole domain. Answer: infinitely many solutions.
Concept and Intuition
The fraction 1+x2−1−x21+x2+1−x2 looks intimidating, but substituting x2=cosα converts 1±x2 into 2cos2(α/2) and 2sin2(α/2), turning the whole fraction into a clean tan(4π+2α). This is the standard trick for expressions of the form 1+x2±1−x2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Domain: Cos−1(x2) needs x2∈[−1,1], and since x2≥0 always, effectively x2∈[0,1], i.e. x∈[−1,1]. Also need 1−x2 real, consistent.
- Let α=Cos−1(x2)∈[0,π/2] (since x2∈[0,1], α can only range over [0,π/2], not the full [0,π]).
- Then x2=cosα, so 1+x2=1+cosα=2cos2(α/2) and 1−x2=1−cosα=2sin2(α/2). Since α/2∈[0,π/4], both cos(α/2),sin(α/2)≥0, so 1+x2=2cos(α/2), 1−x2=2sin(α/2).
- The fraction becomes cos(α/2)−sin(α/2)cos(α/2)+sin(α/2)=1−tan(α/2)1+tan(α/2)=tan(4π+2α).
- Since α/2∈[0,π/4], we have 4π+2α∈[4π,2π), safely inside the principal range of Tan−1, so Tan−1[tan(4π+2α)]=4π+2α exactly (excluding x=0 where α=π/2 makes the denominator zero). …
- 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 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 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). …
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