Solve Arctan 2Arctan(1/3) + Arctan(1/7) = π/4: What's Wrong?

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In summary, the correct solution to 2Arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7) = π/4 is to take the sine of both sides, which gives sin(2arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7)) = sin(π/4), and then use the trigonometric identity for the sum of two angles to simplify the left side. This leads to sin(arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7)) = sin(π/4), and by using the inverse tangent function, we can find that arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7) = π
  • #1
Alexx1
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2Arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7) = π/4

I try to solve it like this:

= sin(2arctan(1/3)) + sin(arctan(1/7) = sin(π/4)

But this isn't correct

What have I done wrong?
 
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  • #2
Alexx1 said:
2Arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7) = π/4

I try to solve it like this:

= sin(2arctan(1/3)) + sin(arctan(1/7) = sin(π/4)

But this isn't correct

What have I done wrong?

If we let A=Arctan(1/3) and B= arctan(1/7), then tanA=1/3 and tanB=1/7 right?

So now you have 2A+B=π/4, what happens if you take the tan of both sides?
 
  • #3
Alexx1 said:
2Arctan(1/3) + arctan(1/7) = π/4

I try to solve it like this:

= sin(2arctan(1/3)) + sin(arctan(1/7) = sin(π/4)

But this isn't correct

What have I done wrong?

The problem is that [tex]sin(A+B)\neq sinA+sinB[/tex] for all A and B, which is what you've done on the left side of the equation.
Since you took the sine of both sides, it should be [tex]sin\left(2arctan(1/3)+arctan(1/7)\right)=sin(\pi/4)[/tex]
and from the mistake above that I showed you, you can't separate each part in the sine to make two sine functions as you've done.

Try follow on and see where rockfreak is leading you. You need to know how to expand tan double angles and sums.
 
  • #4
Mentallic said:
The problem is that [tex]sin(A+B)\neq sinA+sinB[/tex] for all A and B, which is what you've done on the left side of the equation.
Since you took the sine of both sides, it should be [tex]sin\left(2arctan(1/3)+arctan(1/7)\right)=sin(\pi/4)[/tex]
and from the mistake above that I showed you, you can't separate each part in the sine to make two sine functions as you've done.

Try follow on and see where rockfreak is leading you. You need to know how to expand tan double angles and sums.

Thanks! Now I found it
 

1. What is the equation being solved?

The equation being solved is Arctan 2Arctan(1/3) + Arctan(1/7) = π/4.

2. What is the value of Arctan(1/3)?

The value of Arctan(1/3) is approximately 0.32175 radians or 18.435 degrees.

3. What is the value of Arctan(1/7)?

The value of Arctan(1/7) is approximately 0.14054 radians or 8.057 degrees.

4. Why is the equation equal to π/4?

The equation is equal to π/4 because that is the value of the arctangent of 1, which can be seen by substituting 1 for both 1/3 and 1/7 in the equation.

5. What is the solution to the equation?

The solution to the equation is Arctan(1/3) + Arctan(1/7) = π/8, which can be found by using the trigonometric identity arctan(x) + arctan(y) = arctan((x+y)/(1-xy)).

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