Topic: Sum-difference identities for tangent

Question: Simplify the expression.

tan 82∘ + tan(−37∘)

1 − tan 82∘ tan(−37∘)

Answer choices:

A tan 55∘

B tan 45∘

C tan 119∘

D tan 109∘

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Solution: B

The expression matches the form of the right side of the sum identity for
tangent.

tan θ + tan α
tan(θ + α) =
1 − tan θ tan α

Substitute the angles from the expression.

∘ ∘
tan 82 + tan(−37 )
tan(82∘ + (−37∘)) =
1 − tan 82∘ tan(−37∘)
∘ ∘
tan 82 + tan(−37 )
tan(82∘ − 37∘) =
1 − tan 82∘ tan(−37∘)

∘ tan 82∘ + tan(−37∘)

tan 45 =
1 − tan 82∘ tan(−37∘)

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Topic: Sum-difference identities for tangent

Question: Find the exact value of tan(13π /12).

Answer choices:

A 2+ 3

6− 2
B
4

C 2− 3

6+ 2
D
4

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Solution: C

From just the unit circle, we wouldn’t know the value of tangent at 13π /12,
but we can rewrite 13π /12 as

13π (10 + 3)π 10π 3π 5π π

= = + = +
12 12 12 12 6 4

So the original expression can be rewritten as

( 12 ) ( 6 4)
13π 5π π
tan = tan +

and we can plug this right side into the sum identity for the tangent
function.

tan θ + tan α
tan(θ + α) =
1 − tan θ tan α

tan ( 6 )
+ tan ( 4 )
5π π

( 6 )
5π π
tan + =
4 1 − tan ( 6 ) tan ( 4 )
5π π

3
− +1
( 6 )
5π π 3
tan + =

( )
4 3
1− − 3
(1)

3
− 3 +1
( 6 )
5π π
tan + =
4 3
1+ 3

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 3− 3

( 6 4)
5π π 3
tan + =
3+ 3
3

( 6 4) 3 +
5π π 3− 3
tan + =
3

Multiply both the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the

denominator.

( 6 4) 3 + 3 (3 − 3)
5π π 3− 3 3− 3
tan + =

( 6 4)
5π π 9−6 3+3
tan + =
9−3

( 6 )
5π π 12 − 6 3
tan + =
4 6

( 6 4)
5π π
tan + =2− 3

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Topic: Sum-difference identities for tangent

Question: Find the exact values of tan(θ + α) if tan θ = − 1/2 and tan α = 3/4.

Answer choices:

2
A
5

2
B −
5

C 2

2
D
11

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Solution: D

Use the sum identity for the tangent function, substituting the values
we’ve been given.

tan θ + tan α
tan(θ + α) =
1 − tan θ tan α

− 12 + 3
4
tan(θ + α) =
1 − (− 12 ) ( 34 )

Simplify the right side.

−2 + 3
4
tan(θ + α) =
1 + 38

1
4
tan(θ + α) = 8+3
8

1
4
tan(θ + α) = 11
8

1 8
tan(θ + α) = ⋅
4 11

2
tan(θ + α) =
11

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