Help with PreCalc: Sum/Difference Identities

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Discussion Overview

The discussion focuses on the application of sum and difference identities in trigonometry, specifically in the context of solving a problem involving the tangent of the sum of two angles. Participants explore the calculation process and potential mistakes in arriving at the correct answer.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • A participant describes their approach to calculating tan(4pi/3 + 5pi/4) using the tangent sum identity and expresses uncertainty about their result.
  • Another participant suggests expanding the fraction to simplify the expression and eliminate square roots from the denominator.
  • A further elaboration includes a method of multiplying by the conjugate to simplify the fraction, which is presented as a technique to achieve the correct form without changing the value.
  • A participant later confirms that they solved the problem after the discussion, indicating progress in their understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the methods for simplifying the expression, but there is no explicit consensus on the initial mistake made by the original poster, as the focus is on providing assistance rather than resolving the issue definitively.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not address specific assumptions or limitations in the mathematical steps taken, nor does it clarify the definitions of terms used in the identities.

Thinkaholic
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Hi, I know this is baby/fetus/sperm/molecule math for all of you, but I'm 13 and trying to self study my way to physics. Anyway, I'm teaching myself pre calculus. Most of it is pretty easy, but I've been stuck on sum/difference identities. It seems clear, and I'm folliwing everything the textbook is telling me. However, I think I'm making stupid mistakes. For example:

Question: tan(4pi/3+5pi/4)

I worked out the format of the tangent sum of two angles, and:
(Tan(4pi/3)+tan(5pi/4) )/(1-tan(4pi/3)tan(5pi/4))
=(sqrt(3)+1)/(1-(sqrt(3)))
That was my answer

Book answer:-sqrt(3)-2

Please tell me what stupid mistake I'm making if you can. I'm probably really embarrassing myself.
 
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Try expanding your fraction with (1+sqrt(3)), then you can simplify it further.
In general, you can get rid of nearly all square roots in denominators with this trick.
 
To elaborate on what @mfb said, multiply your answer by 1, in the form of ##\frac{1+\sqrt 3}{1 + \sqrt 3}##. After you simplify, you will get the book's answer.
The trick involves multiplying the denominator by its conjugate -- the same two terms but with the opposite sign between them. If you multiply the numerator by the same quantity, you are multiplying by 1, which doesn't change the actual value of the fraction, but puts it into a different form.
 
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Likes   Reactions: rrogers
Thanks people! I solved it yesterday, but forgot to say so. :p
 

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