Mark the Correct alternative in the following: If a is any real number, the number of roots of cot x – tan x = a in the first quadrant is (are).

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

1-tan²x=a tan x

tan²x+a tan x – 1 = 0

As it is given a be any real number take a=0,

For a=0

Tan x = +1 or -1

In first quadrant only tan(π/4)=1

So, there is only one root that lies in the first quadrant.

Option C