How to Solve for θ When tan(θ) = 1 ± √2?

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The discussion focuses on solving for θ when tan(θ) = 1 ± √2. The user derives the equation tan(3θ) using the identity tan(3θ) = (tan(2θ) + tan(θ)) / (1 - tan(θ)tan(2θ)). This leads to the cubic equation t^3 - 3t^2 + t + 1 = 0, yielding solutions t = 1 and t = 1 ± √2. The user successfully finds θ = π/4 and 5π/4 for t = 1 but seeks methods to determine θ for t = 1 ± √2 without a calculator.

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  • Understanding of trigonometric identities, specifically tan(3θ) and tan(2θ).
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I have shown the first part that they ask for.

For the second part:

let tanθ = t

[itex]tan(3\theta) = \displaystyle\dfrac{tan(2\theta) + tan\theta}{1-tan(\theta)tan(2\theta)} = \dfrac{\frac{2t}{1-t^2} + t}{1 - t(\frac{2t}{1-t^2})}[/itex]

hence [itex]t = 2 + \dfrac{3t - t^3}{1-3t^2}[/itex]
[itex]t^3 - 3t^2 + t + 1 = (t-1)(t^2 -2t - 1) = 0[/itex]

hence [itex]t = 1[/itex], [itex]t = 1 \pm \sqrt{2}[/itex]

now I've found the solutions for t = 1, getting θ = pi/4, 5pi/4, but how do I find the solutions for t = 1 ± √2 without using a calculator?
 
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phospho said:
SVxIMJY.png


I have shown the first part that they ask for.

For the second part:

let tanθ = t

[itex]tan(3\theta) = \displaystyle\dfrac{tan(2\theta) + tan\theta}{1-tan(\theta)tan(2\theta)} = \dfrac{\frac{2t}{1-t^2} + t}{1 - t(\frac{2t}{1-t^2})}[/itex]

hence [itex]t = 2 + \dfrac{3t - t^3}{1-3t^2}[/itex]
[itex]t^3 - 3t^2 + t + 1 = (t-1)(t^2 -2t - 1) = 0[/itex]

hence [itex]t = 1[/itex], [itex]t = 1 \pm \sqrt{2}[/itex]

now I've found the solutions for t = 1, getting θ = pi/4, 5pi/4, but how do I find the solutions for t = 1 ± √2 without using a calculator?
If [itex]\displaystyle\ \tan(\theta)=1\pm\sqrt{2}\,,\[/itex] then what is tan(2θ) ?
 

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