Find the general solution for tan x = tan 4x
By Jessica Wood •
I am studying maths as a hobby and have come to the following problem:
Find the general solution for $\tan x = \tan 4x$
My book says the general form of such an answer is:
$\tan x = \tan \alpha \implies x = n\pi +\alpha$
When I look at the answer at the back of the book it says it is
$\frac{n\pi}{3}$, which is not in the same format.
In any case, I cannot see how this was worked out. I have tried using double angle formulae but it gets very messy and I get confused.
$\endgroup$ 11 Answer
$\begingroup$$$\tan (x) = \tan (4x)\xrightarrow{{n \in \mathbb{Z}}}4x = n\pi + x \to 3x = n\pi \to x = \frac{{n\pi }}{3}$$
$\endgroup$