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Multiple Choice
Evaluate the expression. tan−11
A
0
B
4π
C
2π
D
−4π
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that \( \tan^{-1}(x) \) is the inverse tangent function, which gives the angle whose tangent is \( x \).
Recognize that \( \tan^{-1}(1) \) asks for the angle whose tangent is 1.
Recall that the tangent of \( \frac{\pi}{4} \) is 1, because \( \tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{\sin(\frac{\pi}{4})}{\cos(\frac{\pi}{4})} = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = 1 \).
Therefore, \( \tan^{-1}(1) = \frac{\pi}{4} \), since \( \frac{\pi}{4} \) is the principal value of the inverse tangent function for this input.
Conclude that the correct answer is \( \frac{\pi}{4} \), as it is the angle in the range \(-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}\) that satisfies the condition.