Q.Prove that cot(4π−2cot−13)=7.
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.
Never cancel a factor that could be zero: cancelling sinx is valid only where sinx=0, so the simplified form may hold on a slightly larger domain than the original.
Simplification underpins solving trig equations, evaluating limits, integrating trig functions and proving further identities.
Trigonometric simplification using the Pythagorean, reciprocal and quotient identities is built on the NCERT Class 11 Trigonometric Functions chapter and remains a foundational skill throughout Class 12 Integrals and Inverse Trigonometric Functions. Students searching 'trigonometric identities simplification examples class 11' or 'how to simplify trig expressions step by step' will find this convert-to-sine-and-cosine-then-cancel approach is exactly the strategy CBSE board model answers use.
Concept: Inverse trigonometric identities and the formula for cot(A−B).
We start by letting θ=cot−13, so cotθ=3. Then the expression becomes cot(4π−2θ).
First, find cot2θ using the double-angle formula:
cot2θ=2cotθcot2θ−1=2⋅332−1=69−1=68=34.
Now apply the cot(A−B) identity:
cot(4π−2θ)=cot2θ−cot4πcot4πcot2θ+1.
Since cot4π=1, substitute:
=34−11⋅34+1=34−134+1=3137=7.
cot(4π−2cot−13)=7
The key idea is to rewrite the inverse cotangent as an inverse tangent, then simplify the angle using the tangent subtraction formula. The final result is that the expression equals 7.
Let’s start with the intuition. The problem asks us to prove that a messy-looking trigonometric expression simplifies to the neat integer 7. The core challenge is the nested inverse function: 2cot−13 inside a cotangent of a shifted angle.
Whenever you see cot−1, it’s often easier to convert to tan−1 because the tangent addition/subtraction formulas are more familiar. Remember: cot−1x=tan−1(1/x) for x>0. Since 3 is positive, we can safely do that.
Then the angle becomes 4π−2tan−1(1/3). The 4π suggests using the tangent subtraction formula: tan(A−B)=1+tanAtanBtanA−tanB. And since we ultimately want the cotangent, we can compute the tangent first and then take its reciprocal.
Let’s work through it step by step.
- Rewrite the inverse cotangent For x>0, cot−1x=tan−1(1/x). So:
cot−13=tan−1(31)
Hence the given expression becomes:
cot(4π−2tan−131)
- Let θ=tan−1(1/3) Then tanθ=31. We need tan(2θ) because the angle inside is 4π−2θ. Using the double-angle formula:
tan(2θ)=1−tan2θ2tanθ=1−(31)22⋅31=1−9132=9832=32⋅89=2418=43
- Now find tan(4π−2θ) Use the subtraction formula:
tan(4π−2θ)=1+tan4π⋅tan(2θ)tan4π−tan(2θ)=1+1⋅431−43=1+4341=4741=71
- Convert tangent to cotangent Since cotx=tanx1 (provided tanx=0), we have:
cot(4π−2cot−13)=tan(4π−2θ)1=1/71=7
A common mistake is to forget that cot−13 is not the same as (cot3)−1. The notation cot−1 means the inverse function, not the reciprocal. Also, when converting cot−1 to tan−1, ensure the argument is positive to avoid sign issues.
If you prefer working directly with cotangent, you could use cot(A−B)=cotB−cotAcotAcotB+1, but the tangent route is usually simpler because the double-angle formula for tangent is more straightforward.
7
Method: Simplifying cot (or tan) of an expression built from 2cot−1
This is the general route for identities like cot(4π−2cot−1a): name the inverse as an angle, use a double-angle formula, then a compound-angle formula.
Steps
Step 1: Let the inverse be a single angle.
Put θ=cot−1a, so cotθ=a. The expression becomes a function of θ only.
Step 2: Handle the "2" with a double-angle identity.
cot2θ=2cotθcot2θ−1(or tan2θ=1−tan2θ2tanθ).
Step 3: Apply the compound-angle formula.
cot(A−B)=cotB−cotAcotAcotB+1,A=4π (cotA=1).
Substitute the known values and simplify the resulting fraction of fractions.
Step 4 (equally valid): the tangent route.
Convert cot−1a=tan−1a1 (for a>0), compute tan of the whole angle with tan(A−B), then take the reciprocal at the end. Pick whichever keeps the arithmetic cleaner.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Reading 2cot−13 as cot−1(2⋅3)=cot−16.
Why it's wrong: the 2 multiplies the angle, not the argument. Correct approach: set θ=cot−13 and compute cot2θ with the double-angle formula, not cot−16.
Mistake 2: Using cot2θ=2cotθ.
Why it's wrong: there is no such linear rule. Correct approach: cot2θ=2cotθcot2θ−1=69−1=34.
Mistake 3: Misremembering the sign in cot(A−B).
Why it's wrong: writing cot(A−B)=cotB+cotAcotAcotB−1 (wrong signs) breaks the result. Correct approach: the correct form is cot(A−B)=cotB−cotAcotAcotB+1, giving 34−11⋅34+1=7.
Showing the 12 most recent of 63 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set 65/1/11 markMCQQ.One of the values of x for which cosx−cosxsinxsinx=1 is (A) 0 (B) 4π (C) 3π (D) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The determinant simplifies to sinxcosx+sinxcosx=sin2x. Setting sin2x=1 gives 2x=2π+2nπ, so x=4π is one solution. The correct option is (B).
The problem gives a 2×2 determinant equal to 1 and asks for a value of x from the options. The fastest route is to compute the determinant directly — it’s a simple expression in sinx and cosx — and then solve the resulting trigonometric equation.
The determinant of acbd is ad−bc. Here:
cosx−cosxsinxsinx=(cosx)(sinx)−(sinx)(−cosx)
- Simplify the expression. The first term is cosxsinx. The second term: (sinx)(−cosx)=−sinxcosx, but there’s a minus sign in front, so it becomes −(−sinxcosx)=+sinxcosx. So the determinant equals:
cosxsinx+sinxcosx=2sinxcosx
- Use the double-angle identity. Recall that 2sinxcosx=sin2x. Therefore the equation becomes:
sin2x=1
- Solve sin2x=1. The sine function equals 1 at 2π plus any integer multiple of 2π:
2x=2π+2nπ⇒x=4π+nπ
where n is any integer.
- Check the given options.
- (A) 0: sin0=0, not 1.
- (B) 4π: sin2π=1 — works.
- (C) 3π: sin32π=23, not 1.
- (D) 2π: sinπ=0, not 1.
Watch outA common mistake is to forget the minus sign in the determinant expansion. Here, ad−bc with b=sinx and c=−cosx gives (cosx)(sinx)−(sinx)(−cosx)=cosxsinx+sinxcosx. If you miss the double negative, you’d get 0 and no solution.
TipRecognizing 2sinxcosx=sin2x immediately turns a determinant problem into a basic trigonometric equation — always look for double-angle forms when you see products of sine and cosine.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) 4π.
- CBSE 2026Set CX1 markMCQQ.sin(tan−1x), ∣x∣<1 is equal to:(a) 1+x2x(b) 1−x2x(c) 1+x21(d) 1−x21
›Reveal solutionSolution
With θ=tan−1x a right triangle gives sinθ=1+x2x — option (a).
Concept: Convert the inverse function to an angle and read the ratio off a right triangle.
Let θ=tan−1x, so tanθ=x. Take the opposite side =x and adjacent =1; then the hypotenuse is 1+x2.
sinθ=hypotenuseopposite=1+x2x.
✓Final answerOption (a) sin(tan−1x)=1+x2x.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.sin(cos−13/5)=(a) 43(b) 54(c) 53(d) 45
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin(cos−153)=54.
Let θ=cos−153, so cosθ=53 with θ∈[0,π], where sinθ≥0.
Then
sinθ=1−cos2θ=1−259=2516=54.
✓Final answer(b) 54.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.If ∣x∣≤1, then tan(cos−1x)=(a) x1−x2(b) 1+x2x(c) x1+x2(d) 1−x2
›Reveal solutionSolution
tan(cos−1x)=x1−x2.
Let θ=cos−1x, so cosθ=x with θ∈[0,π] (where sinθ≥0).
Then sinθ=1−x2, and
tanθ=cosθsinθ=x1−x2.
✓Final answer(a) x1−x2.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫(sinx+cosx)2cos2xdx=(a) 2log(sinx+cosx)+k(b) log(sinx+cosx)+k(c) log(sinx−cosx)+k(d) −sinx+cosx1+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor cos2x and substitute u=sinx+cosx to get log(sinx+cosx)+k.
Write cos2x=cos2x−sin2x=(cosx−sinx)(cosx+sinx). Then
(sinx+cosx)2cos2x=(sinx+cosx)2(cosx−sinx)(cosx+sinx)=sinx+cosxcosx−sinx.
Let u=sinx+cosx, so du=(cosx−sinx)dx. The integral becomes
∫udu=log∣u∣+k=log(sinx+cosx)+k.
✓Final answer(B) log(sinx+cosx)+k.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.∫1+cos2x1−cos2xdx=(a) tanx+x+k(b) tanx−x+k(c) x−tan2x+k(d) tan2x+k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Simplify to tan2x, then integrate: tanx−x+k.
Use 1−cos2x=2sin2x and 1+cos2x=2cos2x:
1+cos2x1−cos2x=2cos2x2sin2x=tan2x=sec2x−1.
Therefore ∫tan2xdx=∫(sec2x−1)dx=tanx−x+k.
✓Final answer(B) tanx−x+k.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫sin2xcos2xdx equals(a) tanx+sinx+c(b) tanx−cotx+c(c) tanxcotx+c(d) 2tanx−cot2x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Split the integrand using sin2x+cos2x=1 in the numerator, then integrate each standard term.
sin2xcos2x1=sin2xcos2xsin2x+cos2x=cos2x1+sin2x1=sec2x+csc2x.
∫(sec2x+csc2x)dx=tanx−cotx+c.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (b) tanx−cotx+c.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.∫tan2xdx=(a) cotx−x+C(b) tanx+x+C(c) tanx−x+C(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rewrite tan2x using the identity tan2x=sec2x−1, then integrate term by term.
∫tan2xdx=∫(sec2x−1)dx=tanx−x+C.
✓Final answer(c) tanx−x+C.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.If tan⁻¹(1/3) = x, then find sin x.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Build a right triangle using tanx=1/3 and read off sinx.
Given tan−1(1/3)=x⇒tanx=1/3.
In a right triangle take opposite side =1, adjacent side =3, so hypotenuse =12+32=10.
sinx=hypotenuseopposite=101
✓Final answersinx=101.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The value of \int \frac{sec^2 x}{cosec^2 x} dx is:(a)(i) tan x - x + c(b)(ii) tan x + x + c(c)(iii) cot x - x + c(d)(iv) log cosec x + c
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫csc2xsec2xdx=tanx−x+c — option (i).
Concept. Convert to a single trigonometric ratio, then use the identity tan2x=sec2x−1 and the standard integral ∫sec2xdx=tanx.
Steps.
-
csc2xsec2x=1/sin2x1/cos2x=cos2xsin2x=tan2x.
-
Rewrite: tan2x=sec2x−1.
-
Integrate: ∫(sec2x−1)dx=tanx−x+c.
✓Final answertanx−x+c — option (i).
-
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Evaluate: sin{cos−1(−54)}
›Reveal solutionSolution
With cosθ=−54 and θ∈[0,π], sinθ=+53.
Let θ=cos−1(−54), so cosθ=−54 and θ∈[0,π] (range of cos−1). On this range sinθ≥0.
sinθ=1−cos2θ=1−2516=259=53.
✓Final answer53.
- CBSE 2025Set 65/4/11 markMCQQ.∫cosx−cosαcos2x−cos2αdx is equal to : (A) 2(sinx+xcosα)+C (B) 2(sinx−xcosα)+C (C) 2(sinx+2xcosα)+C (D) 2(sinx+sinα)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the cosine difference identity to simplify the numerator, then factor and cancel the denominator. The integral reduces to 2(sinx+xcosα)+C, matching option (A).
The key here is to recognise that the integrand looks messy, but the numerator and denominator are both differences of cosines. That structure is a direct invitation to use the identity:
cosA−cosB=−2sin2A+Bsin2A−B
Applying this to both the numerator and denominator will let us cancel common factors and turn the integral into something elementary.
- Rewrite the numerator using the identity above, with A=2x and B=2α:
cos2x−cos2α=−2sin22x+2αsin22x−2α=−2sin(x+α)sin(x−α)
- Rewrite the denominator similarly, with A=x and B=α:
cosx−cosα=−2sin2x+αsin2x−α
- Form the integrand by dividing the two expressions. The minus signs cancel:
cosx−cosαcos2x−cos2α=−2sin2x+αsin2x−α−2sin(x+α)sin(x−α)=sin2x+αsin2x−αsin(x+α)sin(x−α)
- Use the double-angle identity for sine: sinθ=2sin2θcos2θ. Apply it to both factors in the numerator:
sin(x+α)=2sin2x+αcos2x+α
sin(x−α)=2sin2x−αcos2x−α
Substitute these into the fraction:
sin2x+αsin2x−α(2sin2x+αcos2x+α)(2sin2x−αcos2x−α)
The sin terms cancel completely, leaving:
4cos2x+αcos2x−α
- Simplify the product of cosines using the identity:
cosPcosQ=21[cos(P+Q)+cos(P−Q)]
Here P=2x+α and Q=2x−α. Then:
P+Q=2x+α+x−α=x
P−Q=2x+α−(x−α)=α
So:
4⋅21[cosx+cosα]=2(cosx+cosα)
The integrand is now simply 2(cosx+cosα).
TipThe whole messy expression collapses to a sum of two cosines — one depending on x, one constant. That’s the cleanest possible form for integration.
- Integrate term by term:
∫2(cosx+cosα)dx=2∫cosxdx+2cosα∫1dx
=2sinx+2xcosα+C
Watch outA common mistake is to forget that cosα is a constant with respect to x, so its integral is xcosα, not sinα or something else.
✓Final answerThe integral equals 2(sinx+xcosα)+C, which corresponds to option (A).
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