When does equality occur in the inequality (a^2+b^2)cos(α-β)<=2ab?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around proving the inequality (a^2 + b^2)cos(α - β) ≤ 2ab in the context of triangle ABC with a sharp angle at vertex C. Participants explore various approaches, including the cosine law and geometric constructions, to demonstrate the inequality and identify conditions for equality. It is established that equality occurs when the triangle is isosceles, specifically when a = b and α = β. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in mathematical proofs and the importance of understanding trigonometric relationships. Ultimately, the participants aim to solidify their understanding of the inequality within the context of triangle geometry.
harry654
Messages
58
Reaction score
0
Prove that in any triangle ABC with a sharp angle at the peak C apply inequality:(a^2+b^2)cos(α-β)<=2ab
Determine when equality occurs.

I tried to solve this problem... I proved that (a^2+b^2+c^2)^2/3 >= (4S(ABC))^2,
S(ABC) - area
but I don't know prove that (a^2+b^2)cos(α-β)<=2ab :(
thanks for your help
 
Physics news on Phys.org
welcome to pf!

hi harry654! welcome to pf! :smile:

(try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)

by "sharp angle", i assume you mean an acute angle, less than 90°?

hint: where in that triangle can you find (or construct) an angle α-β ? :wink:
 
by "sharp angle", i assume you mean an acute angle, less than 90°? yes :)
hint: where in that triangle can you find (or construct) an angle α-β ?
oh. I know that apply π-(α+β)=γ. But i can't see in that triangle an angle α-β. I have tried to solve this problem already 3 days, but I always proved other inequality.
 
harry654 said:
But i can't see in that triangle an angle α-β.

then make one! :biggrin:

you know that α-β is in the answer, so you know there must be an α-β somewhere

where could you draw an extra line to make an angle α-β ? :wink:
 
I can draw parallel straight line with BC. Then i draw parallel straight line with AC. And then I depict triangle ABC in axial symmetry according AB. And at the peak B(under) I have an angle α-β. Is it OK?
 
sorry, i don't understand :confused:

can you supply some extra letters (D, E, …), to make it clearer?
 
OK.
We have triangle ABC.
I draw parallel line p with BC and parallel line l with AC. p intersects l in the point D.
Then angle DBA is equivalent with α. I depict triangle ABC in axial symmetry according AB. this triangle mark AEB.Then angle EBA is equivalent with β. And angle DBE is α-β
 
oh i see!

yes, but a lot simpler would be to draw just one line

draw CD equal to CA with D on BC … then triangle DBC has two sides the same as ABC, and angle DCB is α-β :smile:

(btw, "depict triangle ABC in axial symmetry according AB" is weird … write "reflect triangle ABC in AB" :wink:)
 
(btw, "depict triangle ABC in axial symmetry according AB" is weird … write "reflect triangle ABC in AB" :wink:)[/QUOTE]

sorry my english is not enough good I know :(

draw CD equal to CA with D on BC ... When I draw D on BC so B,C,D are on one line... and it isn't triangle DBC so I am confused... sorry :(
 
  • #10
oops!

sorry, i meant with D on AB :smile:
 
  • #11


oh yes.
Now, Should I compare areas of triangles ABC and DBC, shouldn't I?
 
  • #12
no!

(why are you so keen on areas anyway? :confused: you'll hardly ever need them, and certainly not here :redface:)

forget about triangle ABC now

just use triangle DBC :smile:
 
  • #13
Ok... I use cosinus law and I have equality. But I think I must something compare because I need prove inequality
 
  • #14
what equality? :confused:

(btw, we say "sine" and "cosine" :wink:)
 
  • #15
Ok.Maybe don't understand me. When I use cosine law I get a^2+b^2-2abcos(α-β)=h^2
when h is DB. But I need (a^2+b^2)cos(α-β)<=2ab I now see that equality occurs when triangle is isosceles. But I try from a^2+b^2-2abcos(α-β)=h^2 get (a^2+b^2)cos(α-β)<=2ab.
 
  • #16
harry654 said:
When I use cosine law I get a^2+b^2-2abcos(α-β)=h^2
when h is DB.

(try using the X2 icon just above the Reply box :wink:)

hint: eliminate ab :wink:
 
  • #17
hint: eliminate ab

I found that I am stupid...
when I eliminate ab cosine law will not apply or no?
 
Last edited:
  • #18
apply (a²+b²)cos(α-β)>= a²+b²-h²

and then I don't know aaaaa :(
 
Last edited:
  • #19
harry654 said:
apply (a²+b²)cos(α-β)>= a²+b²-h²

no, you've missed out a cos(α-β) :redface:
 
  • #20
tiny-tim said:
no, you've missed out a cos(α-β) :redface:
2ab=(a²+b²-h²)/cos(α-β) Is that OK?

then a²+b²>=2ab
a²+b²>=(a²+b²-h²)/cos(α-β) /*cos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos(α-β) ? (a²+b²-h²)
so? I am lost...
 
  • #21
i can't see where you got lost :confused:

you should have arrived at (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h² …

carry on from there :smile:
 
  • #22
you should have arrived at (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h² … ( but why is there ≤ and not >=)

(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h²


(a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ 2ab
 
  • #23
harry654 said:
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h²


(a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ 2ab

sorry, I'm not following you at all
 
  • #24
thank you for your patience
I think I never solve this problem
 
  • #25
How do you get (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h² ?
 
  • #26
I really don't know how carry on...
I have a cosine law and then I don't know how get (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b² - h²
Please help me:(
 
  • #27
harry654 said:
I have a cosine law …/QUOTE]

what cosine law did you use?
 
  • #28
I use this cosines law h²=a²+b²-2abcos(α-β) h is |DB| and then I don't know how carry on
 
  • #29
harry654 said:
I use this cosines law h²=a²+b²-2abcos(α-β) h is |DB|

ok then 2ab = (a²+b²-h²)/cos(α-β) …

substitute that into the inequality :smile:
 
  • #30
so and now the problem begins because I don't know how :(
 
  • #31
uhh? :confused:

just write out the inequality, with 2ab replaced by (a²+b²-h²)/cos(α-β)
 
  • #32
yes I see, but what inequality do you think ?
 
  • #33
harry654 said:
yes I see, but what inequality do you think ?

what are you talking about?

there is only one inequality
 
  • #34
but I can't
in (a²+b²)cos(α-β)≤2ab
substitude 2ab because I must prove that inequality and when I substitude 2ab it isn't mathematical proof
 
  • #35
do it now to see where you're going …

you can tidy it up later! :biggrin:
 
  • #36
OK
I have (a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ (a²+b²-h²)/cos(α-β)
and from it I get
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h²
but how can I tidy up later?
 
  • #37
oh, forget about later! :rolleyes:

ok, now simplify (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h² :smile:
 
  • #38
OK
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h²
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-a²-b²+2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ 2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ 2ab
 
  • #39
harry654 said:
OK
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h²
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-a²-b²+2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ 2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ 2ab

uhh? :confused: … now you're going backwards :redface:

simplify (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h²
 
  • #40
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-a²-b²+2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ 2abcos(α-β) OK?
 
  • #41
harry654 said:
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-a²-b²+2abcos(α-β)
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ 2abcos(α-β) OK?

you're still going backwards, that's exactly the same as (a²+b²)cos(α-β) ≤ 2ab :frown:
 
  • #42
and how can I simplify (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h² ? I can only as (a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-a²-b²+2abcos(α-β) :(
 
  • #43
well, for a start, you could try putting all similar terms on the same side
 
  • #44
similar terms on the same side? uff
 
Last edited:
  • #45
I don't know how carry on again :(
 
  • #46
could you write me an inequality at which should I arrive?
 
  • #47
I tried this
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β) ≤ a²+b²-h²
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β)-(a²+b²)≤ -h²
but how carry on... I am desperate:(
 
  • #48
good morning! :smile:
harry654 said:
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β)-(a²+b²)≤ -h²

yes, that's a standard way of simplifying an equation …

putting all the similar things on one side!

ok, now simplify (a²+b²)cos²(α-β)-(a²+b²) :smile:
 
  • #49
good morning
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β)-(a²+b²)=
=(a²+b²)(cos²(α-β)-1)=
=(a²+b²)(cos(α-β)-1)(cos(α-β)+1)
OK?
 
  • #50
harry654 said:
good morning
(a²+b²)cos²(α-β)-(a²+b²)=
=(a²+b²)(cos²(α-β)-1)=
=(a²+b²)(cos(α-β)-1)(cos(α-β)+1)
OK?

oh good grief! :rolleyes:

no wonder you've been having difficulty with this question

take the morning off and become familiar with using your https://www.physicsforums.com/library.php?do=view_item&itemid=18"

in particular cos2 + sin2 = 1 :redface:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Back
Top