Question:medium

$\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + 1 \cdot 2} \right) + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + 2 \cdot 3} \right) + \dots + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + n \cdot (n+1)} \right) =$

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For series summation involving $\tan^{-1}$, always try to express the argument in the form $\frac{x-y}{1+xy}$. This allows you to split the term into $\tan^{-1}x - \tan^{-1}y$, which almost always leads to a telescoping series where most terms neatly cancel out.
Updated On: May 29, 2026
  • $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n}{n+2} \right)$
  • $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n+1}{n} \right)$
  • $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n}{n+1} \right)$
  • $\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n+2}{n} \right)$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

To solve the given series:

\(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + 1 \cdot 2} \right) + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + 2 \cdot 3} \right) + \dots + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + n \cdot (n+1)} \right)\)

Let's start by rewriting the general term:

Each term in the series is of the form \(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{1 + k(k+1)} \right)\) where \( k \) ranges from 1 to \( n \).

The denominator simplifies to \(1 + k(k+1) = k^2 + k + 1\), but let's focus on possible simplification:

\(\frac{1}{1 + k(k+1)} = \frac{1}{k^2 + k + 1}\)

Rewrite the fraction:

\(\frac{1}{1 + k(k+1)} = \frac{1}{(k+1)^2 - k^2} = \frac{1}{(k+1)^2 - k^2}\)

Recognize this as a form that matches the identity for the inverse tangent:

\(\tan^{-1}(x) + \tan^{-1}(y) = \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{x+y}{1-xy} \right)\)

Apply the identity:

The identity you can use is:
\(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{k} \right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{k+2} \right) = \tan^{-1}\left( \frac{(k+2) - k}{1 + \frac{1}{k(k+2)}} \right)\)

For our sum:

Each term can be rewritten as \(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{k} \right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{k+2} \right)\), which will telescope when the series is summed over.

The telescoping nature simplifies:

The terms cancel out sequentially:
\(\tan^{-1} \left(1\right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{3} \right) + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{3} \right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{5} \right) + \dots + \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{n+1} \right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{n+3} \right)\)

Thus, all intermediate terms cancel out:

Only the first and last parts remain: \(\tan^{-1} \left(1\right) - \tan^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{n+3} \right)\)

Simplify the result:

\(\tan^{-1}\left( \frac{(n+3)-1}{1+\frac{1}{n+3}} \right) = \tan^{-1}\left( \frac{n+2}{1} \right) = \tan^{-1}(n+2)\)

Thus, the final expression becomes:

\(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n}{n+2} \right)\)

The correct answer is:

\(\tan^{-1} \left( \frac{n}{n+2} \right)\)

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