Trigpresentation 1

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents
Jared Ruiz
Youngstown State University
June 30, 2013
Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)
June 30, 2013
1/1
Acknowledgements
The following researchers and organizations need to be thanked:

Dr. Jacek Fabrykowski
John Hoffman (Dr. J. Douglas Faires and Dr. Barbara T. Faires
Endowment)
W. Ryan Livingston (Dr. J. Douglas Faires and Dr. Barbara T. Faires
Endowment)
I was personally funded by the McNair Scholars Program in
association with the University of Akron.
Support for all was given by the Center for Undergraduate Research,
Youngstown State University.
June 30, 2013
2/1
There is a well-known trigonometric identity:

Identity
arctan 1 + arctan 2 + arctan 3 =
This appears in [1] by Michael W. Ecker
June 30, 2013
3/1
There is a well-known trigonometric identity:

Identity
This appears in [1] by Michael W. Ecker
Thus the question arises:
Are there other formulas which can give us any multiple of ?
June 30, 2013
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Theorem
For every positive integer n, there exists s > 0 and distinct positive
integers k1 , k2 , . . . , ks such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1
for suitable tj {1, 1}.
June 30, 2013
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Theorem
For every positive integer n, there exists s > 0 and distinct positive
integers k1 , k2 , . . . , ks such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

Note
For all a R,
arctan(a) = arctan a
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0
Proof: Define the function f (a) = arctan a + arctan( 1a ).
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0

1
1
1
1
1
0
f (a) =
+
=
=0
1
2
2
2
1+a
1+a
1 + a2
1 + a2 a
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0

1
1
1
1
1
0
f (a) =
+
=
=0
1
2
2
2
1+a
1+a
1 + a2
1 + a2 a
If a > 0, let a = 3. Then we have
arctan 3 + arctan = + =
3
6
2
3
June 30, 2013
5/1
Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0

1
1
1
1
1
0
f (a) =
+
=
=0
1
2
2
2
1+a
1+a
1 + a2
1 + a2 a
3
6
2
3
If a < 0, let a = 3. Then

1
1
arctan 3 + arctan = arctan 3 + arctan

=
2
3
3
June 30, 2013
5/1
Lemma 1
For a R, a 6= 0,
(
arctan( 1a ) + 2 ; a > 0
arctan a =
arctan( 1a ) 2 ; a < 0

1
1
1
1
1
0
f (a) =
+
=
=0
1
2
2
2
1+a
1+a
1 + a2
1 + a2 a
3
6
2
3
If a < 0, let a = 3. Then

1
1
arctan 3 + arctan = arctan 3 + arctan

=
2
3
3
2
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

arctan a + arctan b = arctan
a+b
1 ab
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab
We can easily check this with a numeric example:
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

arctan 2 + arctan 3
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

arctan 2 + arctan 3 = 2.356194490
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

arctan 2 + arctan 3 = 2.356194490
arctan(1)
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

arctan 2 + arctan 3 = 2.356194490
.7853981635 = arctan(1)
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

arctan 2 + arctan 3 = 2.356194490 6= .7853981635 = arctan(1)
June 30, 2013
6/1
Lemma (Incorrect)
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

June 30, 2013
6/1
Lemma (Incorrect)
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

This is listed wrong in:
Calculus, 5th ed. by James Stewart (He does mention
arctan a + arctan b ( 2 , 2 ))
June 30, 2013
6/1
Lemma (Incorrect)
For a, b R, ab 6= 1

a+b
1 ab

This is listed wrong in:
Calculus, 5th ed. by James Stewart (He does mention
arctan a + arctan b ( 2 , 2 ))
Calculus, 2nd ed. by J. Douglas Faires and Barbara T. Faires (They
say |ab| =
6 1)
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1
a+b
arctan 1ab ; ab < 1

a+b
arctan a + arctan b = arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
arctan 1ab ; ab > 1, a, b < 0
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
For a, b R, ab 6= 1
a+b
arctan 1ab ; ab < 1

a+b
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Proof: If ab [1, 1] then arctan a + arctan b
Since
tan(arctan a + arctan b) =
tan(arctan a) + tan(arctan b)
1 tan(arctan a) tan(arctan b)

2 , 2
a+b
1 ab
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.
If 0 < a < 1, and 0 < b < 1 then we are done.
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.
WLOG, let a > 1. Then 0 < 1a < 1, and 0 < b < 1.
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.

1

+ + arctan b
a
2

1 + ab
= arctan
+
a+b
2
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.

1

+ + arctan b
a
2

1 + ab
= arctan
+
a+b
2
Now
1+ab
a+b
< 0, since 0 < ab < 1.
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
n
a+b
; ab < 1
Assume ab < 1.

1

+ + arctan b
a
2

1 + ab
= arctan
+
a+b
2
Now
1+ab
a+b
< 0, since 0 < ab < 1. So by Lemma 1

1 + ab
a+b

arctan
+
= arctan
+
a+b
2
1 + ab
2
2
a+b
= arctan
1 ab
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
arctan a + arctan b =
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
Let a, b > 0. Then 0 <
1
a
1
b
<1
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
1
b
<1
arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
1
arctan +
a
b
a+b
arctan
+
1 ab
arctan
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
1
b
<1
arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
1
arctan +
a
b
a+b
arctan
+
1 ab
arctan
Now let a, b < 0. Again we have 0 <
1
a
1
b
<1
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
1
b
<1
arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
1
arctan +
a
b
a+b
arctan
+
1 ab
arctan

arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
b
<1
arctan
1
1
arctan
a
b
June 30, 2013
9/1
Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
1
b
<1
arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
1
arctan +
a
b
a+b
arctan
+
1 ab
arctan

arctan a + arctan b
=
=
1
a
1
b
<1
1
1
arctan
a
b
a+b
arctan
1 ab
arctan
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 2
(
a+b
arctan 1ab
+ ; ab > 1, a, b > 0
a+b
Assume ab > 1.
1
b
<1
arctan a + arctan b
1
a
1
1
arctan +
a
b
a+b
arctan
+
1 ab
arctan

arctan a + arctan b
=
=
1
a
1
b
<1
1
1
arctan
a
b
a+b
arctan
1 ab
arctan
June 30, 2013
2
9/1
Corollary
June 30, 2013
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Corollary
Proof: By Lemma 2,
June 30, 2013
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Corollary
Proof: By Lemma 2,
arctan 1 + arctan 2 + arctan 3 = (arctan 1 + arctan 2) + arctan 3

3
= arctan
+ + arctan 3
1
= arctan 3 + + arctan 3
=
June 30, 2013
10 / 1
Corollary
Proof: By Lemma 2,

3
= arctan
+ + arctan 3
1
=
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Corollary
Proof: By Lemma 2,

3
= arctan
+ + arctan 3
1
=
2
This is a new proof of this identity!
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 3
For a R,
arctan a+arctan(1a)+arctan(2a+a2 )+arctan(33a+4a2 2a3 +a4 ) =
.
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 3
For a R,
.
Proof: For all a R, a(1 a) < 1.

arctan a + arctan(1 a) = arctan
1
1 a + a2
2 a + a2
> 1.
1 a + a2

1
Then adding arctan 1a+a
+ arctan(2 a + a2 ) gives
2
Now for all a R,
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 3
.
June 30, 2013
12 / 1
Lemma 3
.
rctan
1
1a+a2
+ 2 a + a2
2a+a2
1a+a2
+ = arctan

= arctan
(2a+a2 )(1a+a2 )
1a+a2
+
(1a+a2 )(2a+a2 )
1a+a2

3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
1+
June 30, 2013
12 / 1
Lemma 3
.
rctan
1
1a+a2
+ 2 a + a2
2a+a2
1a+a2
+ = arctan

= arctan
(2a+a2 )(1a+a2 )
1a+a2
+
(1a+a2 )(2a+a2 )
1a+a2

3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
1+
Now adding

3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
arctan
+ +arctan(33a+4a2 2a3 +a4 ) =
1
June 30, 2013
12 / 1
Lemma 3
.
rctan
1
1a+a2
+ 2 a + a2
2a+a2
1a+a2
+ = arctan

= arctan
(2a+a2 )(1a+a2 )
1a+a2
+
(1a+a2 )(2a+a2 )
1a+a2

3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
1+
Now adding

3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
arctan
+ +arctan(33a+4a2 2a3 +a4 ) =
1
2
June 30, 2013
12 / 1
Lemma 4
Let a R, a < 0. Then
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 4
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
Proof: Since a < 0,
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 4
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
Proof: Since a < 0,
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2
For the last inequality,
2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 4
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
Proof: Since a < 0,
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2
2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
0 < 1 2a + 3a2 2a3 + a4
June 30, 2013
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Lemma 4
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
Proof: Since a < 0,
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2
2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
0 < 1 2a + 3a2 2a3 + a4
2
June 30, 2013
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Recall
Lemma 3
For a R,
.
Lemma 4
|a| < 1 a < 2 a + a2 < 3 3a + 4a2 2a3 + a4
June 30, 2013
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Theorem
For all n > 0, there exists s > 0 and distinct positive integers k1 , k2 , . . . , ks
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

Proof: Let a0 < 0, and let k1 = |a0 |. Then
k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
arctan a0
+ arctan k2 + arctan k3 + arctan k4 =
June 30, 2013
(1)
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
arctan k1 + arctan k2 + arctan k3 + arctan k4 =
June 30, 2013
(1)
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.

arctan a1
+ arctan k6 + arctan k7 + arctan k8 =
June 30, 2013
(2)
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.

June 30, 2013
(2)
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.

(2)
(??) + (??) = 2.
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.

(2)
(??) + (??) = 2. This can be continued indefinitely.

June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Theorem
such that
s
X
tj arctan kj = n
j=1

k2 = 1 a0 ,
k3 = 2 a0 + a02 , and k4 = 3 3a0 + 4a02 2a03 + a04
We have by Lemma 3
(1)
Let a1 = (k4 + 1), and let k5 = |a1 |.

(??) + (??) = 2. This can be continued indefinitely.

(2)
June 30, 2013
15 / 1
Example
Let a0 = 2, and k1 = 2.
June 30, 2013
16 / 1
Example
Let a0 = 2, and k1 = 2. Then

arctan 2 + arctan 3 + arctan 8 + arctan 57 =
June 30, 2013
(3)
16 / 1
Example

(3)
Now a1 = 58, and k5 = 58 (so t5 = 1).
June 30, 2013
16 / 1
Example

(3)
Now a1 = 58, and k5 = 58 (so t5 = 1). Then

June 30, 2013
(4)
16 / 1
Example

(3)

(4)
Then (??) + (??) = 2.
June 30, 2013
16 / 1
Example

(3)

(4)
Then (??) + (??) = 2. Etc.
June 30, 2013
16 / 1
References
Ecker, Michael W. An arctangent triangle: puzzling over

arctan1+arctan2+arctan3=. Mathematics and Computer
Education, 2003.
Edwards, C. Henry and David E. Penney. Calculus, Ed. 6. Prentice

Hall, 2002: p. 476.
Faires, J. Douglas and Barbara T. Faires. Calculus, Ed. 2. Random

House, 1988: p. 404.
Stewart, James. Calculus, Ed. 5. Brooks/Cole (A division of

Thomson Learning), 2003: p. 485.
June 30, 2013
17 / 1
Where Does Lemma 3 Come From?
Let a, b Z, and a + b = 1.
June 30, 2013
18 / 1
Let a, b Z, and a + b = 1. Then arctan a + arctan b = arctan
a+b
1 ab
June 30, 2013
18 / 1

Now
arctan
a+b
1 ab
a+b
a + b + c abc
+ arctan c = arctan
1 ab
1 ab ac bc
June 30, 2013
18 / 1

Now
a+b
1 ab
a+b
a + b + c abc
+ arctan c = arctan
1 ab
1 ab ac bc
We want 1 ab ac bc to equal 1.
arctan
June 30, 2013
18 / 1

Now
a+b
1 ab
a+b
a + b + c abc
+ arctan c = arctan
1 ab
1 ab ac bc
So c = ab = a + a2 . We add 2 to c so that
arctan
a+b
c >1
1 ab
June 30, 2013
18 / 1

Now
a+b
1 ab
a+b
a + b + c abc
+ arctan c = arctan
1 ab
1 ab ac bc
So c = ab = a + a2 . We add 2 to c so that
arctan
a+b
c >1
1 ab
Then we add arctan
a + b + c abc
+ arctan d and so on.
1 ab ac bc
June 30, 2013
18 / 1

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A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

The following researchers and organizations need to be thanked:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

There is a well-known trigonometric identity:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

There is a well-known trigonometric identity:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

for suitable tj {1, 1}.

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

for suitable tj {1, 1}.

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

If a > 0, let a = 3. Then we have

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

If a > 0, let a = 3. Then we have

If a < 0, let a = 3. Then

arctan 3 + arctan = arctan 3 + arctan

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

If a > 0, let a = 3. Then we have

If a < 0, let a = 3. Then

arctan 3 + arctan = arctan 3 + arctan

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

We can easily check this with a numeric example:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

We can easily check this with a numeric example:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents

June 30, 2013

We can easily check this with a numeric example:

Jared Ruiz (Youngstown State University)

A Surprising Sum of Arctangents