Why am I getting a different value for sin(2 tan^(-1) 4/3) than my calculator?

Kaylynn Cook

Kaylynn Cook

Answered question

2022-11-17

Why am I getting a different value for sin ( 2 tan 1 4 3 ) than my calculator?
Way 1:
If I punch the above expression in my calculator, I get 24 25
Way 2:
sin ( 2 tan 1 ( 4 3 ) )
sin ( tan 1 ( 2 × 4 3 1 ( 4 3 ) 2 ) )
[ Using the formula  2 arctan ( x ) = arctan ( 2 x 1 x 2 ) ]
sin ( tan 1 ( 24 7 ) )
sin ( tan 1 ( 24 7 ) )
sin ( sin 1 ( 24 25 ) )
24 25
Why am I getting a different answer than that of my calculator?

Answer & Explanation

Tasinazzokbc

Tasinazzokbc

Beginner2022-11-18Added 17 answers

One has to keep in mind, which quadrant the angle lies in from the beginning, and not derive it from calculations. Your calculations will be prone to mistakes because trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions are not one-to-one functions.
Notice that tan 1 4 / 3 > tan 1 1 = π / 4. So, θ = 2 tan 1 4 / 3 > π / 2 and belongs to second quadrant. However tan 1 (negative value) lies in fourth quadrant. So the conversion
sin ( 2 tan 1 ( 4 3 ) II quadrant ) sin ( tan 1 ( 24 7 ) IV quadrant )
is incorrect. But it can be corrected as follows
sin ( 2 tan 1 ( 4 3 ) II quadrant ) = sin ( π + tan 1 ( 24 7 ) II quadrant )
Now calculation should give correct answer.
Paula Cameron

Paula Cameron

Beginner2022-11-19Added 6 answers

Notice that your formula to simplify the arctan gives a positive answer on the left hand side
2 arctan 4 3 > 0
but a negative on the right
arctan 8 3 1 ( 4 3 ) 2 < 0
The formula itself is the mistake.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?