# Find the values of

Question:

Find the values of $\tan ^{-1} \sqrt{3}-\cot ^{-1}(-\sqrt{3})$ is equal to

(A) $\pi$

(B) $-\frac{\pi}{2}$

(C) 0

(D) $2 \sqrt{3}$

Solution:

Let $\tan ^{-1} \sqrt{3}=x$. Then, $\tan x=\sqrt{3}=\tan \frac{\pi}{3}$ where $\frac{\pi}{3} \in\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}\right)$.

We know that the range of the principal value branch of $\tan ^{-1}$ is $\left(-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}\right)$.

$\therefore \tan ^{-1} \sqrt{3}=\frac{\pi}{3}$

Let $\cot ^{-1}(-\sqrt{3})=y$

Then, $\cot y=-\sqrt{3}=-\cot \left(\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\cot \left(\pi-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)=\cot \frac{5 \pi}{6}$ where $\frac{5 \pi}{6} \in(0, \pi)$.

The range of the principal value branch of $\cot ^{-1}$ is $(0, \pi)$.

$\therefore \cot ^{-1}(-\sqrt{3})=\frac{5 \pi}{6}$

$\therefore \tan ^{-1} \sqrt{3}-\cot ^{-1}(-\sqrt{3})=\frac{\pi}{3}-\frac{5 \pi}{6}=\frac{2 \pi-5 \pi}{6}=\frac{-3 \pi}{6}=-\frac{\pi}{2}$

The correct answer is B

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