Chapter 3: Problem 6
Prove the given identity. $$ \tan 3 \theta=\frac{3 \tan \theta-\tan ^{3} \theta}{1-3 \tan ^{2} \theta} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
To prove \( \tan 3 \theta = \frac{3 \tan \theta - \tan^3 \theta}{1 - 3 \tan^2 \theta} \), apply the tangent addition formula and simplify using the double-angle formula.
Step by step solution
01
- Recall the tangent addition formula
To prove the given identity, start by recalling the tangent addition formula: \[ \tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B} \]
02
- Express \tan(3\theta) using the addition formula
Express \( \tan 3 \theta \) as \( \tan(2\theta + \theta) \). Applying the tangent addition formula: \[ \tan(2 \theta + \theta) = \frac{\tan 2\theta + \tan \theta}{1 - \tan 2\theta \tan \theta} \]
03
- Find \tan(2\theta)
Next, we need \( \tan 2 \theta \). Use the double-angle formula: \[ \tan 2\theta = \frac{2 \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} \]
04
- Substitute \tan(2\theta) into the main expression
Substitute \( \tan 2 \theta \) into the expression for \( \tan(2\theta + \theta) \): \[ \tan(2 \theta + \theta) = \frac{\frac{2 \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} + \tan \theta}{1 - \frac{2 \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} \tan \theta} \]
05
- Simplify the numerator
Simplify the numerator: \[ \frac{2 \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} + \tan \theta = \frac{2 \tan \theta + \tan \theta (1 - \tan^2 \theta)}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} = \frac{3 \tan \theta - \tan^3 \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} \]
06
- Simplify the denominator
Simplify the denominator: \[ 1 - \frac{2 \tan \theta \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} = \frac{1 - \tan^2 \theta - 2 \tan^2 \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} = \frac{1 - 3 \tan^2 \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} \]
07
- Combine and simplify
Combine the simplified numerator and denominator: \[ \frac{\frac{3 \tan \theta - \tan^3 \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta}}{\frac{1 - 3 \tan^2 \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta}} = \frac{3 \tan \theta - \tan^3 \theta}{1 - 3 \tan^2 \theta} \]This matches the given identity.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Tangent Addition Formula
The **Tangent Addition Formula** helps us find the tangent of the sum of two angles. It's particularly useful in trigonometry to simplify complex expressions and prove identities. The formula is: \( \tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B} \)
Notice that this formula combines tangents of two separate angles into a single fraction. This is helpful in expressing more complex angles, like multiple angles of \( \theta \).
To apply this formula correctly:
Notice that this formula combines tangents of two separate angles into a single fraction. This is helpful in expressing more complex angles, like multiple angles of \( \theta \).
To apply this formula correctly:
- Identify each angle to use in the addition.
- Substitute the values into the formula.
- Simplify the resulting expression.
Double-Angle Formula
The **Double-Angle Formula** for tangent simplifies the tangent of double angles (2θ) into expressions involving only tangent(θ). The formula is: \( \tan 2\theta = \frac{2 \tan \theta}{1 - \tan^2 \theta} \)
This formula allows us to break down more complex angles into smaller, more manageable parts. To understand how to use it:
This formula allows us to break down more complex angles into smaller, more manageable parts. To understand how to use it:
- Recognize the need to express a double angle (2θ).
- Plug in the tangent of the base angle (θ) into the formula.
- Simplify the expression to find the desired tangent value.
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions in trigonometry often requires combining several formulas and algebraic techniques. When simplifying, follow these steps:
1. **Substitute Known Formulas** - Use relevant identities, such as the tangent addition and double-angle formulas, to express complex angles in simpler terms.
2. **Combine Like Terms** - Use algebraic techniques to merge like terms in numerators and denominators.
3. **Factor and Cancel** - Factor common elements where possible and cancel them out to reduce the expression further.
For example, in the given exercise:
1. **Substitute Known Formulas** - Use relevant identities, such as the tangent addition and double-angle formulas, to express complex angles in simpler terms.
2. **Combine Like Terms** - Use algebraic techniques to merge like terms in numerators and denominators.
3. **Factor and Cancel** - Factor common elements where possible and cancel them out to reduce the expression further.
For example, in the given exercise:
- Substitute \( \tan 2 \theta \) and use the tangent addition formula to express a more complex term.
- Simplify the numerators and denominators separately by combining like terms.
- Factor out common elements to further simplify the expression.