Question:medium

If \(\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{3 - x + 1}\right) = \cot^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{3x + 1}\right)\), then which one of the following is true?

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When solving equations involving inverse trigonometric functions, it's often helpful to apply identities like \( \tan^{-1} a + \tan^{-1} b = \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{a + b}{1 - ab} \right) \) to simplify the expression. Additionally, keep in mind that we often need to manipulate the argument inside the inverse tangent or cotangent functions and set the argument equal to zero to solve for the variable. In this problem, simplifying the expressions step by step leads to the solution for \(x\).

Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • There is no real value of \(x\) satisfying the above equation.
  • There is one positive and one negative real value of \(x\) satisfying the above equation.
  • There are two real positive values of \(x\) satisfying the above equation.
  • There are two real negative values of \(x\) satisfying the above equation.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The provided equation is \(\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{3-x+1}\right) = \cot^{-1}\left(\frac{3}{3x+1}\right)\).
Using the identity \(\tan^{-1}(y) + \cot^{-1}(y) = \frac{\pi}{2}\), the equation transforms to:
\[\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{4-x}\right) + \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{\frac{3}{3x+1}}\right) = \frac{\pi}{2}\]
Simplifying the second term yields:
\(\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{3x+1}{3}\right)\)
The equation is now:
\[\tan^{-1}\left(\frac{2}{4-x}\right) + \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{3x+1}{3}\right) = \frac{\pi}{2}\]
Applying the tangent addition formula \(\tan(A + B) = \frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B}\) implies:
\[\frac{\frac{2}{4-x} + \frac{3x+1}{3}}{1 - \left(\frac{2}{4-x}\right)\left(\frac{3x+1}{3}\right)} = \tan\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\]
Since \(\tan\left(\frac{\pi}{2}\right)\) is undefined, the denominator must be zero:
\[1 - \left(\frac{2}{4-x}\right)\left(\frac{3x+1}{3}\right) = 0\]
\[1 = \left(\frac{2}{4-x}\right)\left(\frac{3x+1}{3}\right)\]
\[\frac{2(3x+1)}{3(4-x)} = 1\]
Eliminating fractions by cross-multiplication:
\[6x + 2 = 12 - 3x\]
Combining like terms:
\[9x = 10\]
\[x = \frac{10}{9}\]
To verify potential roots, consider the case where \(\frac{3x+1}{3} = -\frac{2}{4-x}\), which arises from a specific interpretation of the arctangent addition.
\[\frac{3x+1}{3} = -\frac{2}{4-x}\]
Cross-multiplying yields:
\[3(4-x) + 2(3x+1) = 0\]
\[12 - 3x + 6x + 2 = 0\]
Simplifying gives:
\[3x = -14\]
\[x = -\frac{14}{3}\]
Therefore, there are two distinct real solutions for \(x\), one positive and one negative.
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