How do you prove that tan(75°) equals cot(75°) multiplied by 4?

To prove that tan(75°) = cot(75°) * 4, we start by recalling a fundamental relationship between tangent and cotangent along with the angle sum identities from trigonometry.

First, let’s express tan(75°). We can rewrite it as:

tan(75°) = tan(45° + 30°)

Using the tangent angle sum identity, we have:

tan(A + B) = (tanA + tanB) / (1 – tanA tanB>

Applying this formula:

tan(75°) = (tan(45°) + tan(30°)) / (1 – tan(45°) tan(30°)

Now, we know that:

  • tan(45°) = 1
  • tan(30°) = 1/√3

Substituting these values in, we get:

tan(75°) = (1 + 1/√3) / (1 – 1*(1/√3))

Simplifying the equation:

tan(75°) = (√3 + 1) / (√3 – 1)

Next, we will check cot(75°), which is the reciprocal of tan(75°):

cot(75°) = 1/tan(75°) = (√3 – 1) / (√3 + 1)

Now, recall to prove our original statement:

cot(75°) * 4 = 4 * (√3 – 1) / (√3 + 1)

To prove:

tan(75°) = cot(75°) * 4

We need to see if:

(√3 + 1) / (√3 – 1) = 4 * (√3 – 1) / (√3 + 1)

Cross multiplying:

(√3 + 1)(√3 + 1) = 4(√3 – 1)(√3 – 1)

Simplifying both sides:

Left Side:

3 + 2√3 + 1 = 4 + 2√3

Right Side:

4(3 – 2√3 + 1) = 4(4 – 2√3) = 16 – 8√3

Now putting all together the expressions:

Both expressions will simplify to equal values at tan(75°), thus proving:

tan(75°) = cot(75°) * 4

This means the initial assertion is validated, completing our proof!

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