If $\tan \theta+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)=3$, then…

If $\tan \theta+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)=3$, then which of the following is equal to 1 ?
  1. $\tan 2 \theta$
  2. $\tan 3 \theta$
  3. $\tan ^2 \theta$
  4. $\tan ^3 \theta$

Solution

Given, $ \begin{aligned} & \tan \theta+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{\pi}{3}\right)+\tan \left(\theta+\frac{2 \pi}{3}\right)=3 \\ & \Rightarrow \tan \theta+\frac{\tan \theta+\sqrt{3}}{1-\sqrt{3} \tan \theta}+\frac{\tan \theta-\sqrt{3}}{1+\sqrt{3} \tan \theta}=3 \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \tan \theta+\frac{8 \tan \theta}{1-3 \tan ^2 \theta}=3 \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \frac{9 \tan \theta-3 \tan ^3 \theta}{1-3 \tan ^2 \theta}=3 \\ & \Rightarrow \quad 3 \tan 3 \theta=3 \Rightarrow \tan 3 \theta=1 \\ & \end{aligned} $ Hence, option (2) is correct

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2008

Practice more Trigonometric Ratios & Identities questions on Aicharya