How to prove tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20?

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In summary, the conversation is about proving the equation tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20 using various identities and formulas, such as the Angle Sum/Difference for Tangent, Cofunction Identity for Tangent, Quotient Identity for Tangent, and Euler's formula. The problem is considered a classic and can be solved using these tools.
  • #1
johncena
131
1
Pls help !

Will anyone help me to prove this ?
tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20
(Angles are in degree measure)
 
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  • #2


Things to use:

Angle Sum/Difference for Tangent

[tex]\tan(u \pm v)=\frac{\tan u \pm \tan v}{1 \mp \tan u \tan v}[/tex]

Cofunction Identity for Tangent

[tex]\tan (90 - u) = \cot u[/tex] for u in degrees.

Quotient Identity for Tangent

[tex]\tan u = \frac{1}{\cot u} \text{ or equivalently } \tan u \cdot \cot u = 1[/tex]

Think [itex]\tan 70 = \tan (50+20)[/tex]...

This is a classic problem and solutions can be found easily enough.

--Elucidus
 
  • #3


johncena said:
Will anyone help me to prove this ?
tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20
(Angles are in degree measure)

Euler's formula:

[tex]e^{ix} = \cos x + i \sin x[/tex] for all real numbers x (cos and sin take radians, so you need a unit conversion)

Definition of tangent:

[tex]\tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x}[/tex]

All you need is those two formulas and a little algebra and you can show it's true.
 

FAQ: How to prove tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20?

How can you prove that tan70 = 2tan50 + tan20?

To prove this equation, we can use the trigonometric identity tan(A+B) = (tanA + tanB) / (1 - tanAtanB) and simplify the right side of the equation using this identity.

What is the value of tan70?

Using a calculator, we can find that the value of tan70 is approximately 2.74747741945.

What is the value of tan50?

Similarly, the value of tan50 can be found to be approximately 1.19175359259 using a calculator.

Can you prove this equation using a geometric proof?

Yes, this equation can also be proven using a geometric proof by constructing a triangle and using the definition of tangents as the ratio of opposite and adjacent sides.

How is proving this equation useful in mathematics and science?

Proving this equation is useful in various mathematical and scientific calculations involving trigonometry, such as finding angles and distances in triangles or in solving equations involving trigonometric functions.

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