How to find angles of a triangle

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the angles of triangle ABC given one angle, $$\alpha$$, and a relationship between the sides. Participants explore methods to derive angles B and C, considering the constraints of the problem and the relationships between the angles and sides.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a formula for angles B and C based on the given angle $$\alpha$$ and the sides of the triangle.
  • Another participant questions the initial formulation, suggesting that $$\alpha$$ is expressed in terms of itself.
  • A participant describes a method using the cosine theorem to express side $$a$$ in terms of sides $$b$$ and $$c$$ and relates the angles through the sine theorem, noting the complexity of solving the resulting equations.
  • Another participant reiterates the previous method and adds observations about the angle bisector and its relationship to the sides of the triangle, providing a geometric interpretation of the angles involved.
  • They suggest that the angle at B can be expressed in terms of the angle bisector and the known angle $$\alpha$$, leading to a potential relationship for angle C as well.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various methods and approaches to the problem, with no consensus on a single solution or method. The discussion remains unresolved with competing viewpoints on how to derive the angles.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the equations involved and the relationships between the angles and sides, but do not resolve the mathematical steps or assumptions necessary for a complete solution.

Andrei1
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We know that in triangle ABC angle A equals $$\alpha$$ and side $$a=\frac{b+c}{2}.$$ How to find angles B and C knowing that $$B\geqslant C$$? For which values of $$\alpha$$ the problem has solutions?

ps. a, b, c are only notations.

answer. $$\frac{\pi-\alpha}{2}\pm\arccos(2\sin\frac{\alpha}{2})$$
 
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Re: how to find angles of a triangle

It seems you have given $\alpha$ in terms of $\alpha$.
 
Re: how to find angles of a triangle

Here is what I do. I express a through b, c and $$\alpha$$ by cosine theorem. So I have an equation with only b and c as unknown. I obtain $$\frac{b}{c}$$ by sine theorem and I substitute this ratio in the first equation. I also know that $$\alpha=\pi-B-C.$$ So I have two equations with two unknowns. But it is hard to solve.

I also noticed that the bisector of angle A divide side a in two segments: b/2 and c/2.
 
Re: how to find angles of a triangle

Andrei said:
Here is what I do. I express a through b, c and $$\alpha$$ by cosine theorem. So I have an equation with only b and c as unknown. I obtain $$\frac{b}{c}$$ by sine theorem and I substitute this ratio in the first equation. I also know that $$\alpha=\pi-B-C.$$ So I have two equations with two unknowns. But it is hard to solve.

I also noticed that the bisector of angle A divide side a in two segments: b/2 and c/2.
I think you are nearly there. Look at this picture, in which $AD$ is the angle bisector at $A$, and $BN$ is perpendicular to $AD$:

ABCDN.gif


The angle at $B$ is obviously $\angle ABN + \angle NBD$. Equally obviously, $\angle ABN = \frac{\pi}2 - \frac\alpha2$, so we just need to show that $\cos(\angle NBD) = 2\sin\bigl(\frac\alpha2\bigr)$. But $\cos(\angle NBD) = \frac{BN}{BD}$, and you have already shown that $BD = c/2$, so you just need to observe that $BN = c\sin\bigl(\frac\alpha2\bigr)$, which is evident from the triangle $ABN$.

You can get the result for the angle at $C$ in a similar way by dropping a perpendicular from $C$ to the extension of $AD$.​
 

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