What Is the Minimum Value of (a²+b²)/c² in Triangle ABC?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the minimum value of the expression \(\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{c^2}\) in triangle \(ABC\) under the condition \(\dfrac{\cos A}{1+\sin A}=\dfrac{\sin 2B}{1+\cos 2B}\). Participants analyzed the relationship between angles and sides of the triangle using trigonometric identities. The consensus is that the minimum value occurs when specific angle conditions are met, leading to a definitive solution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of triangle properties and relationships
  • Familiarity with trigonometric identities
  • Knowledge of angle measures in triangles
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Law of Cosines and its applications in triangle geometry
  • Explore advanced trigonometric identities and their proofs
  • Investigate optimization techniques in geometric contexts
  • Learn about inequalities in triangle geometry, such as the Cauchy-Schwarz inequality
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Mathematicians, geometry enthusiasts, and students studying trigonometry and optimization in geometry will benefit from this discussion.

anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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In a triangle $ABC$, it is given that $\dfrac{\cos A}{1+\sin A}=\dfrac{\sin 2B}{1+\cos 2B}$.

Find the minimum value of $\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{c^2}$.

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I hope I made no errors in calculation.
From laws of sines
f:=\frac{a^2+b^2}{c^2}=\frac{\sin^2 A+\sin^2 B}{\sin^2 C}=\frac{\sin^2 A+\sin^2 B}{\sin^2 (A+B)}
The given condition reads
\frac{\cos A}{1+\sin A}=\tan B
By this we can delete B in the above formula to get
f(x)=2x-3+\frac{4}{1+x}
where
x=\sin A

f'(x)=2-\frac{4}{(1+x)^2}
f'(\sqrt{2}-1)=0
f(\sqrt{2}-1)=4\sqrt{2}-5 \approx 0.66 as minimum.
 

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