tan 20° + tan 40°

Question:

$\tan 20^{\circ}+\tan 40^{\circ}+\sqrt{3} \tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}$ is equal to

(a) $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{4}$

(b) $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}$

(c) $\sqrt{3}$

(d) 1

Solution:

(c) $\sqrt{3}$

$\tan 20^{\circ}+\tan 40^{\circ}+\sqrt{3} \tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}$

$=\tan 60^{\circ}\left(1-\tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}\right)+\tan 60^{\circ} \tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}$

$\left[\right.$ Using $\tan 60^{\circ}=\frac{\tan 20+\tan 40}{1-\tan 20 \tan 40}$ and $\left.\tan 60^{\circ}=\sqrt{3}\right]$

$=\tan 60^{\circ}-\tan 60^{\circ} \tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}+\tan 60^{\circ} \tan 20^{\circ} \tan 40^{\circ}$

$=\tan 60^{\circ}$

$=\sqrt{3}$

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