Can You Meet the Sine Function Challenge?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mathematical challenge involving real numbers \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) where the condition \(\sin a + \sin b + \sin c \ge \frac{3}{2}\) is established. The goal is to prove that \(\sin \left(a - \frac{\pi}{6}\right) + \sin \left(b - \frac{\pi}{6}\right) + \sin \left(c - \frac{\pi}{6}\right) \ge 0\). The proof utilizes properties of the sine function and transformations involving angle subtraction, confirming the validity of the inequality under the given condition.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric functions, specifically sine.
  • Knowledge of angle subtraction identities in trigonometry.
  • Familiarity with inequalities and proof techniques in mathematics.
  • Basic concepts of real numbers and their properties.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the sine function and its periodicity.
  • Learn about angle subtraction identities in trigonometry.
  • Explore advanced inequality proofs in mathematics.
  • Investigate the implications of trigonometric inequalities in real analysis.
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying trigonometry, and anyone interested in exploring inequalities involving trigonometric functions.

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Let $a,\,b$ and $c$ be real numbers such that $\sin a+\sin b+\sin c\ge \dfrac{3}{2}$. Prove that

$\sin \left(a-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)+\sin \left(b-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)+\sin \left(c-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)\ge 0$.
 
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Assume for contradiction that $\sin \left(a-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)+\sin \left(b-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)+\sin \left(c-\dfrac{\pi}{6}\right)< 0$

Then by the addition and subtraction formulas, we have

$\dfrac{1}{2}(\cos a+\cos b+\cos c)>\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}(\sin a+\sin b+\sin c)\ge \dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{4}$

It follows that

$\cos a+\cos b+\cos c>\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}$

which implies that

$\begin{align*}\sin \left(a+\dfrac{\pi}{3}\right)+\sin \left(b+\dfrac{\pi}{3}\right)+\sin \left(c+\dfrac{\pi}{3}\right)&=\dfrac{1}{2}(\sin a+\sin b+\sin c)+\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}(\cos a+\cos b+\cos c)\\&=\dfrac{1}{2}\cdot \dfrac{3}{2}+\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\cdot \dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}\\&=3\end{align*}$

which is impossible because $\sin x\le 1$.
 

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