Proving Triangle Properties with Sin and Cos

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving properties of triangles using trigonometric identities, specifically involving sine and cosine functions. The original poster presents two problems related to angles in a triangle and their relationships through trigonometric expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to prove a relationship involving sine and cosine of half-angles in a triangle, questioning the absence of angle A in their derived expression. They also express uncertainty about another identity involving tangent functions of half-angles.
  • Some participants suggest using trigonometric identities to explore the relationships further, while others share their own calculations and observations regarding the expressions presented.
  • There are questions about the correctness of the derived expressions and whether they simplify to the expected results.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring various approaches and identities related to the problems. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of trigonometric identities, but there is no explicit consensus on the solutions or methods to be used.

Contextual Notes

Participants note challenges with LaTeX formatting and the clarity of their expressions, which may affect the discussion. There is also an acknowledgment of the complexity of the problems, particularly in deriving the relationships correctly.

mohlam12
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hey everyone,
i have to show that in a triangle, there is : (A, B, C are the angles of that triangle)
[tex]\sin \left( 1/2\,B \right) \cos \left( 1/2\,C \right) +\sin \left( 1/2<br /> <br /> \,C \right) \cos \left( 1/2\,B \right) =\cos \left( 1/2\,A \right)[/tex]

for this one, here is what i got to...

[tex]1/4\,\sqrt {2-2\,{\it cosB}}\sqrt {2+2\,{\it cosC}}+1/4\,\sqrt {2-2\,{<br /> <br /> \it cosC}}\sqrt {2+2\,{\it cosB}}[/tex]


my question is, i don't have any A in this equation above, and i have to prove that it is equal to cos(a/2)! i know that cos(a)=cos(pi-(b+c) ... please if someone can help me with that!

for the second one, we have : [tex]\left( \cos \right) \,\alpha={\frac {a}{b+c}}[/tex]

and [tex]\left( \cos \right) \,\beta={\frac {b}{c+a}}<br /> and \left( \cos \right) \,\gamma={\frac {c}{a+b}}[/tex]

and we have to show that:
[tex]1/2\,{\tan}^{2}\alpha+1/2\,{\tan}^{2}\beta+1/2\,{\tan}^{2}\gamma = 1[/tex]

this one, i erally don't know what to do! if someone can help me out! or maybe give me hints...

i appreciate your help!
 
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mohlam12 said:
this one, i erally don't know what to do! if someone can help me out! or maybe give me hints...

i appreciate your help!
You can use the fact that

[tex]\tan ^2 \theta = \frac{{\sin ^2 \theta }}<br /> {{\cos ^2 \theta }} = \frac{{1 - \cos ^2 \theta }}<br /> {{\cos ^2 \theta }} = \frac{1}<br /> {{\cos ^2 \theta }} - 1[/tex]
 
Sorry... for the second one, there is a mistake (I am still learning how to us LaTex so, yeah) here is the correct form: I am not going to use LaTex, I can't get what I want...

tan²(α/2) + tan²(β/2) + tan²(γ/2) = 1

Thanks,
 
mohlam12 said:
Sorry... for the second one, there is a mistake (I am still learning how to us LaTex so, yeah) here is the correct form: I am not going to use LaTex, I can't get what I want...

tan²(α/2) + tan²(β/2) + tan²(γ/2) = 1

Thanks,
Then you can use the fact that:

[tex]\tan \left( {\frac{\theta }<br /> {2}} \right) = \frac{{\sin \theta }}<br /> {{1 - \cos \theta }} \Leftrightarrow \tan ^2 \left( {\frac{\theta }<br /> {2}} \right) = \frac{{\sin ^2 \theta }}<br /> {{\left( {1 - \cos \theta } \right)^2 }} = \frac{{1 - \cos ^2 \theta }}<br /> {{\left( {1 - \cos \theta } \right)^2 }} = \frac{{\left( {1 - \cos \theta } \right)\left( {1 + \cos \theta } \right)}}<br /> {{\left( {1 - \cos \theta } \right)^2 }} = \frac{{1 + \cos \theta }}<br /> {{1 - \cos \theta }}[/tex]
 
okay, so iam here:
[tex] \left( {\frac {a}{b+c}}+1 \right) \left( -{\frac {a}{b+c}}+1<br /> <br /> \right) ^{-1}+ \left( 1+{\frac {b}{a+c}} \right) \left( 1-{\frac {b}<br /> <br /> {a+c}} \right) ^{-1}+ \left( 1+{\frac {c}{a+b}} \right) \left( 1-{<br /> <br /> \frac {c}{a+b}} \right) ^{-1}<br /> [/tex]

is there any way that this can be equal to 0 !

PS: sorry about messing up the equation in latex, but i am sure u still can get what i did (i am using maple 10 to convert to latex, i think there is a problem there)
 
I calculated it too and I don't think it simplifies to 1, although I can't find an error in my derivation for the tangents to cosines.
 
Okay, and for the first one, I noticed that what I had is a sine rule... it's equal tu sin((b+c)/2) but, where do i get it to get equal to cos (a/2) ... :huh:
 
mohlam12 said:
Okay, and for the first one, I noticed that what I had is a sine rule... it's equal tu sin((b+c)/2) but, where do i get it to get equal to cos (a/2) ... :huh:
Very good, but we know that [itex]a+b+c=180[/itex] so:

[tex]\sin \left( {\frac{{a + b}}<br /> {2}} \right) = \sin \left( {\frac{{180 - c}}<br /> {2}} \right) = \sin \left( {90 - \frac{c}<br /> {2}} \right) = \cos \left( { - \frac{c}<br /> {2}} \right) = \cos \left( {\frac{c}<br /> {2}} \right)[/tex]
 
yup, thanks!
 
  • #10
No problem :smile:

Never forget to use everythings that's given.
 
  • #11
but anyone, can help me with the second problem?! pliiiiz
 
  • #12
ok i got it. never mind everyone!
 

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