Trig Identities that I can't get a grip on

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around proving the trigonometric identity (tan(pi/4+x) - tan(pi/4-x)) / (tan(pi/4+x) + tan(pi/4-x)) = 2sinxcosx. Participants express confusion over the initial steps, particularly when substituting tan(pi/4) as 1, leading to a zero numerator. The use of the tangent addition and subtraction formulas is suggested to simplify the expression correctly. Clarification is sought on assigning variables, specifically letting 'y' equal pi/4 and 'x' remain as 'x'. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly applying trigonometric identities to resolve the equation.
Fractal314
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[tan(pi/4+x)-tan(pi/4-x)]/[tan(pi/4+x)+tan(pi/4-x)]=2sinxcosx

I tried to prove this trig identity but I an really stuck. I think tan of pi/4 is '1', and if I do that then my numerator becomes zero, thus zero=2sinxcosx. But that can't be right, so I don't know what to do now.


LS= (1+tanx-1-tanx)/(1+tanx+1-tanx)

I get 0=2sinxcosx

Any thoughts? Also, I am wondering where this advanced formatting option is or how to do it.
 
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You will need to use the identities

tan(A+B)=(tanA+tanB)/(1-tanA*tanB)

tan(A-B)=(tanA-tanB)/(1+tanA*tanB)
 
Thankyou Overt, I did not see it.

So would I be right in assigning 'y' as pi/4? and let 'x' be 'x'?

For tan(pi/4+x) I will instead get (tanx+tanpi/4)/(1-tanxtanpi/4)?
 
Correct!
 
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