PrepRung

JEE Advanced 2016 Paper 1 · Mathematics · Trigonometry and Inverse Trigonometric Functions · medium

Consider the equation tan x+tan 2x+tan 3x=tan x tan 2x tan 3x for x∈(0,π) at which all the tangents are defined.

One or more options correct

Consider the equation tan⁡x+tan⁡2x+tan⁡3x=tan⁡x tan⁡2x tan⁡3x\tan x+\tan 2x+\tan 3x=\tan x\,\tan 2x\,\tan 3x for x∈(0,π)x\in(0,\pi) at which all the tangents are defined. Which of the following is/are correct?
  1. A. The equation has exactly two solutions in (0,π)(0,\pi)
  2. B. x=π6x=\dfrac{\pi}{6} is a solution
  3. C. x=π2x=\dfrac{\pi}{2} is a solution
  4. D. The sum of all solutions in (0,π)(0,\pi) is 3π2\dfrac{3\pi}{2}
Show answer and solution

Answer: A

Since tan⁡3x=tan⁡x+tan⁡2x1−tan⁡xtan⁡2x\tan3x=\dfrac{\tan x+\tan2x}{1-\tan x\tan2x}, we have tan⁡x+tan⁡2x=tan⁡3x (1−tan⁡xtan⁡2x)\tan x+\tan2x=\tan3x\,(1-\tan x\tan2x) wherever all three tangents are defined. Substituting, the equation becomes tan⁡3x(1−tan⁡xtan⁡2x)+tan⁡3x−tan⁡xtan⁡2xtan⁡3x=0\tan3x(1-\tan x\tan2x)+\tan3x-\tan x\tan2x\tan3x=0, i.e. 2tan⁡3x (1−tan⁡xtan⁡2x)=02\tan3x\,(1-\tan x\tan2x)=0. The factor 1−tan⁡xtan⁡2x=01-\tan x\tan2x=0 would force cos⁡3x=0\cos3x=0, where tan⁡3x\tan3x is undefined, so it gives no solution. Hence tan⁡3x=0\tan3x=0, i.e. x=π/3x=\pi/3 or 2π/32\pi/3 in (0,π)(0,\pi), and at both points tan⁡x\tan x and tan⁡2x\tan2x are defined. So there are exactly two solutions (A true). At x=π/6x=\pi/6 and x=π/2x=\pi/2, tan⁡3x\tan3x (and at π/2\pi/2 also tan⁡x\tan x) is undefined, so (B) and (C) are false. The sum of the solutions is π\pi, not 3π/23\pi/2, so (D) is false. A fine numerical scan of the original expression shows no other roots.
Report a mistake

Original question written in the JEE Advanced 2016 Paper 1 pattern and checked twice for the correct answer. Not an official question paper. How we write and check questions · Corrections policy · Report a mistake