Question

If 1 + sin²θ = 3 sin θ cos θ, then prove that tan θ = 1 or `1/2`.

Answer 1

Given: 1 + sin² θ = 3 sin θ cos θ

Dividing L.H.S and R.H.S equations with sin²θ,

We get, 

`(1 + sin^2 theta)/(sin^2 theta) = (3 sin theta cos theta)/(sin^2 theta)`

`\implies 1/(sin^2 theta) + 1 = (3 cos theta)/sintheta`

cosec² θ + 1 = 3 cot θ

Since, cosec² θ – cot² θ = 1 

`\implies` cosec² θ = cot² θ + 1

`\implies` cot² θ + 1 + 1 = 3 cot θ

`\implies` cot² θ + 2 = 3 cot θ

`\implies` cot² θ – 3 cot θ + 2 = 0

Splitting the middle term and then solving the equation,

`\implies` cot² θ – cot θ – 2 cot θ + 2 = 0

`\implies` cot θ(cot θ – 1) – 2(cot θ + 1) = 0

`\implies` (cot θ – 1)(cot θ – 2) = 0

`\implies` cot θ = 1, 2

Since,

tan θ = `1/cot θ`

tan θ = `1, 1/2`

Hence proved.

Answer 2

Given, 1 + sin² θ = 3 sin θ cos θ

On dividing by sin² θ on both sides, we get

`1/(sin^2θ) + 1 = 3 cot θ`   ...`[∵ cot θ = cos θ/sin θ]`

⇒ cosec² θ + 1 = 3 cot θ

⇒ 1 + cot² θ + 1 = 3 cot θ

⇒ cot² θ – 3 cot θ + 2 = 0

⇒ cot² θ – 2 cot θ – cot θ + 2 = 0

⇒ cot θ (cot θ – 2) – 1(cot θ – 2) = 0

⇒ (cot θ – 2) (cot θ – 1) = 0

⇒ cot θ = 1 or 2

tan θ = 1 or `1/2`

Hence proved.