tan(A + B) and tan(A - B)
Part of the Trig Identities section of Coddy's Trigonometry journey. Lesson 30 of 52.
Divide sin(A + B) by cos(A + B), then divide top and bottom by cos A cos B, and the tangent formulas come out in tangents alone:
tan(A + B) = (tan(A) + tan(B))/(1 - tan(A)tan(B))
tan(A - B) = (tan(A) - tan(B))/(1 + tan(A)tan(B))
They need tan A and tan B to exist (neither angle is 90° plus a whole number of half turns) and the bottom not to be 0. On top the sign follows the angle; below it is the opposite. For 75° as 45° + 30°, with tan 45° = 1 and tan(30°) = √(3)/3:
tan(75°) = (1 + √(3)/3)/(1 - √(3)/3) = (3 + √(3))/(3 - √(3))
A root below is cleared by multiplying top and bottom by its conjugate, here 3 + √3: the bottom becomes 9 - 3 = 6, the top (3 + √(3))² = 12 + 6√(3), and tan(75°) = 2 + √(3).
Challenge
Find the exact value of tan(45° + 60°), which is tan 105°: use the formula, clear the root from the bottom, and simplify until the board reads a whole number and a root. Then press Check.
Try it yourself
Simplify the expression
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Trig Identities
1Identities on the Circle
sin²x + cos²x = 1Squares Erase the SignsIdentity or Equation?Recap: the Circle Identity4Even, Odd and Cofunctions
Negative AnglesEven and Odd in a ProofEven and Odd GraphsCofunctionsRecap: Signs of Angles2Reciprocal and Quotient
The Quotient IdentitySecant, Cosecant, CotangentDividing by a FractionWhere They BreakRecap: Reciprocals5Proving Identities
Work on One SideRewrite in sin and cosFactor FirstMake One FractionProofs That Go WrongRecap: Prove It8Half Angles, Power Reduction
Power Reductionsin²x Is a WaveHalf-Angle Valuestan of a Half AngleRecap: Half Angles3Pythagorean Identities
1 + tan²x = sec²x1 + cot²x = csc²xA Difference of SquaresSquaring a SumRecap: Three Forms6Sum and Difference
sin(A + B) and sin(A - B)cos(A + B) and cos(A - B)Turning by 90° and 180°Read the Formula Backwardstan(A + B) and tan(A - B)Recap: Sum Formulas