Using the trigonometric identity for tan(A + B), prove that tan(3x)=(3tan(x)-tan^3(x))/(1-3tan^2(x))

tan(3x)=tan(2x+x), by using the identity for tan(A+B)=(tan(A)+tan(B))/(1-tan(A)tan(B)),tan(3x)=tan(2x+x)=(tan(2x)+tan(x))/(1-tan(2x)tan(x)), using it again for tan(2x),tan(3x)=tan(2x+x)=([(tan(x)+tan(x))/(1-tan(x)tan(x))]+tan(x))/(1-[(tan(x)+tan(x))/(1-tan(x)tan(x))]tan(x))which simplifies to ([2tan(x)/(1-tan2(x))]+tan(x))/(1-[(2tan(x))/(1-tan2(x))]tan(x))which will further simplify to [(3tan(x)+tan3(x))/(1-tan2(x))]/[(1-3tan2(x))/(1-tan2(x))]which yields [3tan(x)+tan3(x)]/[1-3tan2(x)] which is what we got asked
link to resolution on paper: https://imgur.com/a/YUuaop9

IR
Answered by Ivan R. Maths tutor

10458 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Find the first four terms in the binomial expansion of (2 + x) ^5


(GCSE) A rectangle has the following characteristics: its length is (2x + 5), its width is (3x - 2). The perimeter of the rectangle is 46 cm. What is the value of x?


How do I differentiate the trigonometric functions sin(x) and cos(x) ?


Differentiate 4(x^3) + 3x + 2 with respect to x


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning