Triangle $PQR$: Find $\tan P,\,\tan Q,\,\tan R$ Values

In summary, the tangent of an angle in a triangle is defined as the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side. To find the value of a specific angle's tangent in a triangle, we can use the formula $\tan P = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}$, where opposite and adjacent refer to the sides of the triangle. The tangent of an angle can be undefined if the adjacent side is equal to 0. If we are only given the angle and not the lengths of the sides, we can still find an approximate value using the general formula for tangent. Additionally, the tangent of an angle in a triangle can be found even if the angle is not a right angle, using the same
  • #1
anemone
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In triangle $PQR$, $\tan P,\,\tan Q,\,\tan R$ are integers, find their values.
 
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  • #2
anemone said:
In triangle $PQR$, $\tan P,\,\tan Q,\,\tan R$ are integers, find their values.

Do not ask me how to derive but the values are

1, 2,3

because i know

$\arctan(1) + \arctan (2) + \arctan (3) = \pi$
 
  • #3
My solution:

The triple tangent identity says that for angles $x,\,y,\,z$ such that $x+y+z=\pi$, then we must have:

\(\displaystyle \tan(x)+\tan(y)+\tan(z)=\tan(x)\tan(y)\tan(z)\)

And so, as a consequence, we must have:

\(\displaystyle \left(\tan(P),\tan(Q),\tan(R)\right)\)

are one of the six permutations of:

$(1,2,3)$.
 
  • #4

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  • #5
Thanks all for participating!:)

Solution proposed by other:

Note that we have $\tan P+\tan Q+\tan R=\tan P \tan Q \tan R$.

Let $\tan P=m$, $\tan Q=n$ and $\tan R=k$, where $m,\,n,\,k$ are integers such that $m+n+k=mnk$.

We can tell $PQR$ cannot be a right triangle.

Now, suppose $\angle P$ is obtuse. Then $m$ is negative while $n$ and $k$ are positive. If $n=k=1$, then $mnk=m<m+2=m+n+k$. Any increase in the values of $n$ or $k$ will increase that of $m+n+k$ while decrease that of $mnk$. It follows that $PQR$ is an acute triangle, so that $m,\,n,\,k$ are all positive.

We may assume that $k \ge n \ge m$. Then $mnk=m+n+k \le 3k$, so that $mn \le 3$. We cannot have $m=n=1$, hence $m=1$, $n=2$, $k=3$.
 

Related to Triangle $PQR$: Find $\tan P,\,\tan Q,\,\tan R$ Values

1. What is the definition of "tan" in relation to a triangle?

In a right triangle, the tangent of an angle is defined as the ratio of the length of the opposite side to the length of the adjacent side.

2. How can we find the value of $\tan P$ in a triangle $PQR$?

To find the value of $\tan P$, we can use the formula $\tan P = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}$, where opposite refers to the length of the side opposite to angle $P$ and adjacent refers to the length of the side adjacent to angle $P$ in the triangle $PQR$.

3. Is it possible for the tangent of an angle in a triangle to be undefined?

Yes, it is possible for the tangent of an angle in a triangle to be undefined. This occurs when the adjacent side is equal to 0, making the ratio $\frac{opposite}{adjacent}$ undefined.

4. How can we find the value of $\tan Q$ in a triangle $PQR$ if we are only given the angle $Q$?

If we are only given the angle $Q$ and not the lengths of the sides, we cannot find the exact value of $\tan Q$. However, we can use the general formula $\tan Q = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}$ and assign arbitrary values to the opposite and adjacent sides to find an approximate value of $\tan Q$.

5. Can we find the value of $\tan R$ in a triangle $PQR$ if the angle $R$ is not a right angle?

Yes, we can find the value of $\tan R$ in a triangle $PQR$ even if the angle $R$ is not a right angle. We can use the formula $\tan R = \frac{opposite}{adjacent}$, where opposite refers to the length of the side opposite to angle $R$ and adjacent refers to the length of the side adjacent to angle $R$.

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