How do you simplify Cos[tan^-1(-1)]?

1 Answer
Jun 26, 2016

1/sqrt 2, for the principal value -pi/4 of tan^(-1)(-1).
Against , (3pi)/4, the answer is -1/sqrt 2.

Explanation:

If a = tan^(-1)(-1), tan a = -1.,

a is in either 4th quadrant with the principal value -pi/4 or in

the 2nd, as (3pi)/4.

So, the given cosine cos a is

cos (-pi/4)=1/sqrt 2 or

cos((3pi)/4)=cos (pi-pi/4)=-cos(pi/4)=-1/sqrt 2.

In brief, the answer is +-1/sqrt 2 for the general value of tan^(-1)(-1)..