Multiple choice

If $\tan \alpha $ and $\tan \beta$ are the roots of the equation $ax^2+bx+c=0$ then the value of $\tan ( \alpha +\beta)$ is :

  1. $b/(a-c)$
  2. $b/(c-a)$
  3. $a/(b-a)$
  4. $a/(c-a)$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

tan(alpha) + tan(beta) = -b/a. tan(alpha)tan(beta) = c/a. tan(alpha+beta) = (tan(alpha)+tan(beta)) / (1 - tan(alpha)tan(beta)) = (-b/a) / (1 - c/a) = (-b/a) / ((a-c)/a) = -b / (a-c) = b / (c-a).

AI explanation

Using the sum and product of roots for the equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, we have tan alpha + tan beta = -b/a and tan alpha tan beta = c/a. Substituting these values into the tangent addition formula, tan (alpha + beta) = (tan alpha + tan beta) / (1 - tan alpha tan beta), gives ((-b)/a) / (1 - c/a). Simplifying the denominator to (a - c)/a and dividing the terms results in b/(c - a).