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Multiple Choice
Evaluate the expression. tan−11
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Verified step by step guidance
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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 \( \theta \) such that \( \tan(\theta) = 1 \).
Recall that the tangent of \( \frac{\pi}{4} \) is 1, because \( \tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \frac{\sin(\frac{\pi}{4})}{\cos(\frac{\pi}{4})} = \frac{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} = 1 \).
Consider the range of the inverse tangent function, which is \( (-\frac{\pi}{2}, \frac{\pi}{2}) \). Within this range, \( \frac{\pi}{4} \) is the angle that satisfies \( \tan(\theta) = 1 \).
Conclude that \( \tan^{-1}(1) = \frac{\pi}{4} \), as it is the angle within the range of the inverse tangent function that has a tangent of 1.