Q.Show that 2tan−1(−3)=2−π+tan−1(3−4).
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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. …
Let θ=tan−1(−3), so tanθ=−3 and θ∈(−2π,0); hence 2θ∈(−π,0).
Double angle:
tan2θ=1−tan2θ2tanθ=1−92(−3)=−8−6=43.
Fix the branch: numerically θ≈−1.249, so 2θ≈−2.498∈(−π,−2π), while tan−143≈0.6435∈(0,2π). These have the same tangent and differ by one period, so
2θ=tan−143−π.
Rewrite: for a>0, tan−1a+tan−1a1=2π, so tan−143=2π−tan−134. Therefore …
Writing θ=tan−1(−3), the tangent double-angle formula gives tan2θ=43; a −π branch correction plus the complementary identity turn this into 2tan−1(−3)=−2π+tan−1(−34).
The idea
We cannot simply take tan−1 of tan2θ, because 2θ may fall outside the principal range (−2π,2π). So we compute tan2θ, locate 2θ exactly, and correct by a multiple of π.
Step 1 — Set up
Let θ=tan−1(−3). Then tanθ=−3, and since the argument is negative, θ∈(−2π,0). Doubling, 2θ∈(−π,0).
Step 2 — Tangent of the double angle
tan2θ=1−tan2θ2tanθ=1−(−3)22(−3)=−8−6=43.
Step 3 — Place 2θ correctly
Numerically θ≈−1.249, so 2θ≈−2.498, which lies in (−π,−2π). The principal value tan−143≈0.6435 lies in (0,2π). These two angles share the same tangent and differ by exactly one period π, so
2θ=tan−143−π.
Step 4 — Use the complementary identity …
Method: Rewriting 2tan−1a with a branch correction
When you double an inverse tangent whose value is large or negative, the doubled angle can leave the principal range, so the clean identity needs a ±π correction. This is the general technique for such "show that" identities.
Steps
Step 1: Name the angle and locate 2θ.
Let θ=tan−1a. If a<0 then θ∈(−2π,0), so 2θ∈(−π,0) — already a warning that 2θ may fall below −2π.
Step 2: Compute the tangent of the double angle.
tan2θ=1−a22a.
Step 3: Correct the branch. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Applying 2tan−1x=tan−11−x22x with no branch correction.
Why it's wrong: the clean identity needs ∣x∣<1; for x=−3 the doubled angle leaves (−2π,2π), so a ±π term is required. Correct approach: locate 2θ (here ≈−2.498∈(−π,−2π)) and write 2θ=tan−143−π.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the domain of 2θ and picking the wrong sign of π. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 34 on this concept.
- 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 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 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 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 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 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.Tanh−1(31)+Coth−1(3)= (A) Sech−1(31) (B) Cosech−1(31) (C) Cosh−1(34) (D) Sinh−1(43)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the identity linking Coth−1 to Tanh−1 and the logarithmic form of inverse hyperbolic functions; the sum collapses to log2=Sinh−1(3/4).
Concept and Intuition
Inverse hyperbolic functions all reduce to logarithms. For ∣x∣>1, Coth−1(x)=Tanh−1(1/x) because cothθ=x⟺tanhθ=1/x. This lets us rewrite both terms of the sum using the SAME inverse function, so they simply add.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since 3>1, use Coth−1(3)=Tanh−1(1/3).
- The sum becomes Tanh−1(1/3)+Tanh−1(1/3)=2Tanh−1(1/3).
- Use Tanh−1(y)=21log(1−y1+y) with y=1/3: Tanh−1(1/3)=21log(2/34/3)=21log2.
- So the sum =2×21ln2=log2.
- Test Sinh−1(3/4)=log(y+y2+1) with y=3/4: log(43+169+1)=log(43+45)=log2. Exact match. …
- 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-2025-05-22-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 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-2026-05-12-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 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 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. …
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