Study Guides/Maths/tan 2x Formula
Study Guide · Maths

tan 2x Formula – Derivation and Examples

The tan 2x formula is a double angle trigonometric identity that expresses tan(2x) in terms of tan(x). It is derived from the sine and cosine double angle formulas.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the formula of tan 2x?

Answer

tan 2x = 2 tan x / (1 − tan²x).

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Key Facts

Formula: tan 2x = 2 tan x / (1 − tan²x).

Undefined When: tan²x = 1, i.e., when tan x = ±1 (x = 45° or 135°).

Related: sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x; cos 2x = cos²x − sin²x.

Also Written As: tan 2θ = 2 tan θ / (1 − tan²θ).

The Formula

tan 2x = 2 tan x / (1 − tan²x)

This is the standard and most commonly used form.

Derivation

We know:

  • sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x
  • cos 2x = cos²x − sin²x = 1 − 2sin²x = 2cos²x − 1

Now: tan 2x = sin 2x / cos 2x = (2 sin x cos x) / (cos²x − sin²x)

Divide both numerator and denominator by cos²x: = (2 sin x / cos x) / (1 − sin²x/cos²x) = 2 tan x / (1 − tan²x)

Solved Example

If tan x = 1/2, find tan 2x. tan 2x = 2(1/2) / (1 − (1/2)²) = 1 / (1 − 1/4) = 1 / (3/4) = 4/3

Questions and Answers

What is the formula of tan 2x?+

tan 2x = 2 tan x / (1 − tan²x).

When is the tan 2x formula undefined?+

tan 2x is undefined when tan²x = 1, i.e., when tan x = ±1 or x = 45°, 135°, etc. (making the denominator zero).

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