Question

How do you find the exact values of tan pi/ 8 using the half angle formula?

Answer 1

Refer to explanation

Explanation:

The half angle formula for tangent can be written as follows

`tan(theta/2)=(1-costheta)/sintheta`

Now set `theta=pi/4` you get

`tan(pi/8)=(1-cos(pi/4))/(sin(pi/4))=(1-sqrt2/2)/(sqrt2/2)=(2-sqrt2)/sqrt2`