Q.Show that cos(2tan−171)=sin(4tan−131).
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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: Trigonometric Simplification — Use double-angle identities and the tangent half-angle substitution.
Let α=tan−171 and β=tan−131.
First, compute cos2α. Using cos2θ=1+tan2θ1−tan2θ:
cos2α=1+(71)21−(71)2=1+4911−491=49504948=5048=2524.
Now compute sin4β. Use sin4β=2sin2βcos2β, and sin2β=1+tan2β2tanβ, cos2β=1+tan2β1−tan2β:
sin2β=1+912⋅31=91032=32⋅109=106=53, …
The key is to rewrite each inverse tangent as an angle, then use double-angle and triple-angle formulas to express both sides as rational numbers. Both simplify to 2524, proving the equality.
We need to show that two trigonometric expressions, each built from inverse tangents, are equal. The natural instinct is to let each inverse tangent be an angle — say α=tan−171 and β=tan−131 — and then compute cos(2α) and sin(4β) using known identities. Since tanα and tanβ are simple fractions, we can find cos(2α) directly from tanα, and sin(4β) by first finding tan(2β) and then using the double-angle formula for sine. The whole thing reduces to checking whether both sides equal the same number.
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Set up the angles.
Let α=tan−171 and β=tan−131.
Then tanα=71 and tanβ=31.
-
Compute cos(2α).
There is a direct formula linking cos(2θ) to tanθ:
cos(2θ)=1+tan2θ1−tan2θ.
This comes from cos(2θ)=cos2θ+sin2θcos2θ−sin2θ and dividing numerator and denominator by cos2θ.
So with tanα=71:
cos(2α)=1+(71)21−(71)2=1+4911−491=49504948=5048=2524.
- Compute sin(4β). We need sin(4β). A good path: first find tan(2β), then use sin(4β)=2sin(2β)cos(2β), but we can also get sin(4β) directly from tan(2β) using another identity. Let’s find tan(2β) first:
tan(2β)=1−tan2β2tanβ=1−(31)22⋅31=1−9132=9832=32⋅89=2418=43.
Now we have tan(2β)=43. This is a nice right-triangle ratio: opposite = 3, adjacent = 4, hypotenuse = 5. So:
sin(2β)=53,cos(2β)=54.
Then sin(4β)=2sin(2β)cos(2β)=2⋅53⋅54=2524. …
Method: Comparing two multiple-angle expressions with the t-formulas
To prove two expressions built from inverse tangents are equal, convert each to a plain rational number using the tangent-only ("t") forms of the double-angle identities, then compare.
Steps
Step 1: Name each inverse and record its tangent.
Let α=tan−1p, β=tan−1q, so tanα=p, tanβ=q.
Step 2: Use the t-formulas to get each side as a fraction.
cos2θ=1+tan2θ1−tan2θ,sin2θ=1+tan2θ2tanθ. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Trying a single quadruple-angle formula for sin4β.
Why it's wrong: expanding sin4β directly from tanβ is long and error-prone. Correct approach: double twice — find tan2β=43, read sin2β=53, cos2β=54, then sin4β=2⋅53⋅54=2524.
Mistake 2: Using cos2θ=1−tan2θ (dropping the denominator). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 34 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-FN1 markMCQQ.2tan−1(31)+tan−1(71)= (A) tan−1(2949) (B) 2π (C) 0 (D) 4π
›Reveal solutionSolution
We simplify the expression by first converting 2tan−1(31) into a single tan−1 term, then combining it with tan−1(71) using the sum formula for inverse tangents. The final result is 4π.
The problem asks us to evaluate an expression involving inverse tangent functions. The key to solving this is to use the standard addition formulas for inverse tangents to simplify the expression step-by-step. We have a term of the form 2tan−1x and then a sum of two tan−1 terms.
Here are the relevant formulas we will use:
2tan−1x=tan−1(1−x22x), for −1<x<1.
[!FORMULA]
tan−1x+tan−1y=tan−1(1−xyx+y), for xy<1.
Let's break down the calculation.
- Simplify the 2tan−1(31) term: We start by simplifying the first part of the expression, 2tan−1(31). We use the formula 2tan−1x=tan−1(1−x22x). Here, x=31. Since −1<31<1, the formula is applicable.
2tan−1(31)=tan−1(1−(31)22(31))
=tan−1(1−9132)
=tan−1(99−132)
=tan−1(9832)
To simplify the fraction, we multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator:=tan−1(32×89)
=tan−1(2418)
=tan−1(43)
So, the original expression becomes $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{3}{4} \right) + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{7} \right)$.2. Combine the two tan−1 terms:
Now we have an expression of the form tan−1x+tan−1y, where x=43 and y=71. We use the formula tan−1x+tan−1y=tan−1(1−xyx+y).
First, we check the condition xy<1:
xy=(43)(71)=283. Since 283<1, the formula is applicable. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.tan−121+tan−131+tan−132+tan−151= (A) 4π (B) tan−1(117) (C) 2π (D) tan−1(2423)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sum of the four arctangents simplifies to π/4 by repeatedly applying the tangent addition formula and noticing that the combined angle lies in the first quadrant. The correct option is (A).
We are asked to evaluate
tan−121+tan−131+tan−132+tan−151.
The key idea is to combine arctangents two at a time using the formula
tan−1a+tan−1b=tan−11−aba+b,
but we must always check the quadrant of the resulting angle. Since all given fractions are positive and less than 1, each arctangent lies in (0,π/4). Their sum will be less than π, so we can safely use the formula without worrying about adding π corrections.
- Combine the first two terms Let α=tan−121 and β=tan−131. Then
tan(α+β)=1−21⋅3121+31=1−6165=5/65/6=1.
Since α,β<π/4, their sum is less than π/2 and positive, so
α+β=tan−11=4π.
- Combine the next two terms Let γ=tan−132 and δ=tan−151. Then
tan(γ+δ)=1−32⋅5132+51=1−1521510+153=13/1513/15=1.
Again, both angles are less than π/4, so their sum is also π/4.
- Add the two results Now we have
(tan−121+tan−131)+(tan−132+tan−151)=4π+4π=2π.
That would suggest the answer is π/2, but wait — we must check if the sum of all four original angles really equals π/2 or if there is a subtlety.
Watch outThe sum of two arctangents each equal to π/4 is π/2, but the original four angles are all less than π/4, so their total is less than π. However, π/2 is a valid possibility. But let’s verify by combining all four at once to be safe.
- Combine all four directly Let S=tan−121+tan−131+tan−132+tan−151. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.cos−153+sin−1135+tan−16316= (A) 2π (B) 3π (C) 4π (D) 6π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The sum of the three inverse trigonometric functions simplifies to 2π by converting each into an angle of a right triangle, adding two of them using the tangent addition formula, and recognizing the complementary angle relationship.
We are asked to evaluate
cos−153+sin−1135+tan−16316.
The key idea is to interpret each inverse trig function as an angle in a right triangle, then combine them using known identities — specifically the tangent addition formula — to see if the total is a standard angle like 2π, 3π, etc.
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Interpret each term as an angle in a right triangle.
- Let α=cos−153. Then cosα=53, so in a right triangle with adjacent 3 and hypotenuse 5, the opposite side is 52−32=4. Hence tanα=34.
- Let β=sin−1135. Then sinβ=135, so opposite 5, hypotenuse 13, adjacent 132−52=12. Hence tanβ=125.
- Let γ=tan−16316. Then tanγ=6316 directly.
-
We want α+β+γ.
First, combine α and β using the tangent addition formula:
tan(α+β)=1−tanαtanβtanα+tanβ=1−34⋅12534+125.
Compute numerator: 34=1216, so 1216+125=1221=47.
Denominator: 1−3620=1−95=94.
Thus
tan(α+β)=4/97/4=47⋅49=1663.
- Now add γ. We have tan(α+β)=1663 and tanγ=6316. Notice that
1663⋅6316=1,
so tan(α+β) and tanγ are reciprocals.
For positive acute angles, if tanA=tanB1, then A+B=2π (since tan(2π−θ)=cotθ). …
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- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-AN1 markMCQQ.The number of values of x satisfying sin4x=cos3x and −6π<x<2π, is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Exactly 2 solutions lie in the interval — option (C).
Write cos3x=sin(2π−3x), so sin4x=sin(2π−3x). This gives two families:
4x=2π−3x+2nπ⟹7x=2π+2nπ⟹x=14π(1+4n),
4x=π−(2π−3x)+2nπ⟹x=2π+2nπ.
Now select x∈(−6π,2π)≈(−0.524, 1.571): …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If cosx+cosy=32 and sinx−siny=43, then sin(x−y)+cos(x−y)= (A) 145161 (B) 145127 (C) 21 (D) 98
›Reveal solutionSolution
We use sum‑to‑product identities to find cos2x+y and sin2x+y, then compute sin(x−y) and cos(x−y) via double‑angle formulas, obtaining 145161.
Concept & Intuition
We are given two equations mixing sums and differences of sines and cosines. The classic trick is to rewrite each as a product using sum‑to‑product identities. That isolates the half‑sum and half‑difference angles. Then we can find sin2x−y and cos2x−y from the given numbers, and finally use double‑angle formulas to get sin(x−y) and cos(x−y).
- Apply sum‑to‑product identities
cosx+cosy=2cos2x+ycos2x−y=32
sinx−siny=2cos2x+ysin2x−y=43
- Divide the two equations to eliminate cos2x+y (provided it is nonzero):
2cos2x+ycos2x−y2cos2x+ysin2x−y=2/33/4
tan2x−y=43⋅23=89
- Find sin2x−y and cos2x−y from the tangent. Let t=2x−y. Then tant=89. Construct a right triangle: opposite = 9, adjacent = 8, hypotenuse = 92+82=145. Hence
sint=1459,cost=1458.
- Use double‑angle formulas to get sin(x−y) and cos(x−y):
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.tan−153+tan−1416+tan−11919= (A) tan−1109 (B) tan−11918 (C) tan−11913 (D) tan−12056
›Reveal solutionSolution
Adding the arctangents two at a time gives tan−1109.
Solution
Use tan−1p+tan−1q=tan−11−pqp+q.
First two terms:
tan−153+tan−1416=tan−11−53⋅41653+416=tan−1205−18123+30=tan−1187153=tan−1119.
Add the third term: …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=sin−1(1+sin4x1−cos2x) then dxdy= (A) 1+sin4x2cos2x (B) 1+sin4x2sin2x (C) 1+sin8x2cos2x (D) 1+sin8x2sin2x
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to simplify the argument of the inverse sine using trigonometric identities before differentiating. After simplification, the derivative becomes 1+sin4x2sin2x, which matches option (B).
We start with
y=sin−1(1+sin4x1−cos2x).
Concept and intuition
The expression inside the inverse sine looks messy, but the numerator 1−cos2x is a classic form that simplifies to 2sin2x. That’s a huge clue: the whole fraction might simplify to something like 1+sin4x2sin2x, which is a perfect candidate for the identity sin−1(1+t22t)=2tan−1t (for ∣t∣≤1). That substitution makes differentiation straightforward.
Step-by-step
- Simplify the numerator Using the double-angle identity:
1−cos2x=2sin2x.
So the argument becomes
1+sin4x2sin2x.
- Recognize a standard form Let t=sin2x. Then the argument is
1+t22t.
This is exactly the form 1+t22t, which appears in the identity
sin−1(1+t22t)=2tan−1tfor ∣t∣≤1.
Since t=sin2x∈[0,1], the condition holds. Therefore
y=2tan−1(sin2x).
- Differentiate Differentiate y=2tan−1(sin2x):
dxdy=2⋅1+(sin2x)21⋅dxd(sin2x).
The derivative of sin2x is 2sinxcosx=sin2x. So …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.In a triangle ABC, if r1=6,r2=9,r3=18, then cosA= (A) 135 (B) 54 (C) 75 (D) 257
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the relationship between exradii and sides, we find the triangle’s semiperimeter and side lengths, then apply the law of cosines to get cosA=54, which corresponds to option (B).
Concept & Intuition
Exradii r1,r2,r3 are the radii of excircles opposite vertices A,B,C respectively. They relate to the triangle’s area Δ and semiperimeter s by
r1=s−aΔ,r2=s−bΔ,r3=s−cΔ.
If we know all three exradii, we can find s and the side lengths a,b,c up to a common factor, then compute any trigonometric ratio.
Step-by-step solution
- Recall the reciprocal sum identity For any triangle,
r11+r21+r31=r1,
where r is the inradius. Also, Δ=rs.
Here r1=6, r2=9, r3=18, so
61+91+181=183+2+1=186=31.
Hence r=3.
- Express sides in terms of s and Δ From r1=s−aΔ we get s−a=6Δ. Similarly, s−b=9Δ, s−c=18Δ. Adding these three:
(s−a)+(s−b)+(s−c)=3s−(a+b+c)=3s−2s=s.
So
s=Δ(61+91+181)=Δ⋅31.
Thus Δ=3s.
-
Use Δ=rs to check consistency
We already have r=3, so Δ=rs=3s. This matches Δ=3s from step 2 — consistent.
-
Find the side lengths
From s−a=6Δ=63s=2s, we get a=s−2s=2s.
From s−b=9Δ=93s=3s, we get b=s−3s=32s.
From s−c=18Δ=183s=6s, we get c=s−6s=65s.
So sides are in ratio a:b:c=21:32:65. Multiply by 6:
a:b:c=3:4:5.…
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-AN1 markMCQQ.If θ is the acute angle between the curves x2+y2=20202 and x2−y2=2020, then
[!FORMULA] tanθsinθ+cosθ=
(A) 2 (B) 23+3 (C) 43+3 (D) 63+3›Reveal solutionSolution
The curves cut at 45∘, so tanθsinθ+cosθ=12=2.
Slopes at a point of intersection.
Circle x2+y2=20202: 2x+2yy′=0⇒m1=−yx.
Hyperbola x2−y2=2020: 2x−2yy′=0⇒m2=yx.
tanθ=1+m1m2m1−m2=1−x2/y2−2x/y=y2−x2−2xy.
Point of intersection. Subtracting the equations, 2y2=2020(2−1) and 2x2=2020(2+1), so
y2−x2=1010[(2−1)−(2+1)]=−2020,
x2y2=10102(2+1)(2−1)=10102⇒∣xy∣=1010.
Hence …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If x=sin−1(cost) and y=tan−1(cost), then dxdy= (A) 1+sin2xcosx (B) 1+sin2tcost (C) 1+sin2tsint (D) 1+cos2xsinx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to express both x and y in terms of t, then use the chain rule to find dxdy as a function of x, matching option (A).
We are given:
x=sin−1(cost),y=tan−1(cost).
We need dxdy.
Concept and intuition:
Both x and y are functions of t, so we can compute dtdy and dtdx separately, then use dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt. The trick is to simplify sin−1(cost) into a nicer algebraic form in terms of t, which will make differentiation cleaner. Then we express the final answer in terms of x (since the options involve x or t).
- Simplify x Recall: sin−1(cost)=2π−t for t in [0,π], but more generally we can use the identity sin−1(cost)=2π−∣t∣? Actually, a cleaner approach: Let u=cost. Then x=sin−1(u). But we can also write cost=sin(2π−t), so
x=sin−1(sin(2π−t)).
For the principal range of sin−1, we need 2π−t∈[−π/2,π/2], i.e., t∈[0,π]. Assuming this, we get
x=2π−t.
Hence, t=2π−x.
- Differentiate x and y with respect to t From x=2π−t, we have
dtdx=−1.
For y=tan−1(cost), differentiate:
dtdy=1+(cost)21⋅(−sint)=−1+cos2tsint.
- Find dxdy Using the chain rule: dxdy=dx/dtdy/dt=−1−1+cos2tsint=1+cos2tsint. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.limx→0xtan2x+32xtan3x(1−cos2x)= (A) −6 (B) 21 (C) 0 (D) 5−6
›Reveal solutionSolution
This problem involves evaluating a limit that results in an indeterminate form 0/0. We resolve this by using the trigonometric identity 1−cos2x=2sin2x and then applying standard limits for sinx/x and tanx/x as x→0. The final value of the limit is 21.
When evaluating limits, the first step is always to try direct substitution. If this yields a finite number, that's your limit. However, if it results in an indeterminate form like 0/0 or ∞/∞, it means the function's behavior near that point is not immediately obvious, and further manipulation is required. For expressions involving trigonometric functions as x→0, we often rely on a set of fundamental limits.
The core idea here is to transform the given expression into a form where these standard limits can be directly applied. This usually involves using trigonometric identities to simplify terms and then dividing the numerator and denominator by appropriate powers of x to create terms like kxsinkx or kxtankx, which approach 1 as x→0.
Let's break down the solution step-by-step.
-
Check for Indeterminate Form
First, substitute x=0 into the expression:
Numerator: 1−cos(2⋅0)=1−cos(0)=1−1=0.
Denominator: 0⋅tan(2⋅0)+32⋅0tan(3⋅0)=0⋅tan(0)+0⋅tan(0)=0⋅0+0⋅0=0.
Since we get the form 00, the limit is indeterminate, and we need to simplify the expression.
-
Apply Trigonometric Identity
The term 1−cos2x in the numerator is a common form that can be simplified using the double-angle identity for cosine: cos2x=1−2sin2x.
Rearranging this, we get:
1−cos2x=2sin2x.
Substituting this into the limit expression:
limx→0xtan2x+32xtan3x2sin2x
- Prepare for Standard Limits
We know the standard limits:
limx→0xsinx=1
limx→0xtanx=1
To use these, we need to divide the numerator and denominator by an appropriate power of x.
The numerator has sin2x, which suggests dividing by x2. The denominator has terms like xtan2x and xtan3x. If we divide by x2, these become xtan2x and xtan3x, which are suitable for the standard limit form.
So, divide both the numerator and the denominator by x2:
limx→0x2xtan2x+32xtan3xx22sin2x
limx→0xtan2x+32xtan3x2(xsinx)2
- Manipulate Terms to Match Standard Forms Now, let's adjust the terms in the denominator to perfectly match the standard limit form kxtankx: For xtan2x, multiply and divide by 2: xtan2x=xtan2x⋅22=2(2xtan2x) …
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- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.If sinh−1(−3)+cosh−1(2)=K, then coshK= (A) log(2−3) (B) log(2+3) (C) 0 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to evaluate the inverse hyperbolic functions as real numbers, sum them, and then compute the hyperbolic cosine of the result. The final value is 1, so the correct option is (D).
We are given
sinh−1(−3)+cosh−1(2)=K
and asked for coshK.
Concept and Intuition
Inverse hyperbolic functions are defined in terms of logarithms, but we can also evaluate them by recalling the definitions:
- sinh−1x is the number whose hyperbolic sine is x.
- cosh−1x (for x≥1) is the non-negative number whose hyperbolic cosine is x.
We can compute each term exactly, then add them, and finally take cosh of the sum. A useful identity:
cosh(a+b)=coshacoshb+sinhasinhb
will let us avoid explicitly finding K as a logarithm — we can directly compute coshK from the known values of sinh and cosh of the individual terms.
Step-by-step solution
- Find sinh−1(−3) Let a=sinh−1(−3). Then sinha=−3. Recall that sinha=2ea−e−a. Solving:
2ea−e−a=−3⇒ea−e−a=−23
Multiply by ea:
e2a+23ea−1=0
Solve the quadratic in ea:
ea=2−23±12+4=2−23±4=−3±2
Since ea>0, we take ea=2−3 (because 2−3>0).
Thus a=log(2−3).
So sinh−1(−3)=log(2−3).
- Find cosh−1(2) Let b=cosh−1(2). Then coshb=2 and b≥0. Using coshb=2eb+e−b:
2eb+e−b=2⇒eb+e−b=4
Multiply by eb:
e2b−4eb+1=0
Solve:
eb=24±16−4=24±23=2±3 …
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