To prove a trigonometric identity with tan() and cot()

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on proving a trigonometric identity involving tangent and cotangent functions. The user outlines their progress in manipulating the left-hand side (LHS) of the equation, ultimately simplifying it to a form that includes a "+1" term. They express uncertainty about how to proceed further but later confirm they have reached the answer. The final result is presented as 1 + sec A sec B sec C, indicating successful completion of the identity proof.
brotherbobby
Messages
750
Reaction score
169
Homework Statement
If angles ##A+B+C=\pi##, prove that ##(\tan A+\tan B+\tan C)(\cot A+\cot B+\cot C) = \boxed{1+\sec A \sec B \sec C}##
Relevant Equations
1. The tangents's and cosine's are reciprocals, e.g. ##\tan x \cot x = 1##
2. If ##A+B+C = \pi\Rightarrow \tan A+\tan B+\tan C = \tan A \tan B \tan C##
Attempt : I could not progress far, but the following is what I could do.

$$\begin{align*}
\mathbf{\text{LHS}} & = (\tan A+\tan B+\tan C)(\cot A+\cot B+\cot C) \\
& = 3+\tan A \cot B+\tan B \cot A+\tan A \cot C+\tan C \cot A+\tan B \cot C+\tan C \cot B\\
& = 3+\frac{\tan^2A+\tan^2B}{\tan A \tan B}+\frac{\tan^2C+\tan^2A}{\tan C \tan A}+\frac{\tan^2B+\tan^2C}{\tan B \tan C}\\
& = 3+\frac{\tan^2A (\tan B+\tan C) + \tan^2B (\tan C+\tan A)+\tan^2C (\tan A+\tan B)}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\\
& = 3+\frac{(\sec^2A-1) (\tan B+\tan C)+(\sec^2B-1) (\tan C+\tan A)+(\sec^2C-1) (\tan A+\tan B)}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\\
& = 3+\frac{(\sec^2A) (\tan B+\tan C)+(\sec^2B) (\tan C+\tan A)+(\sec^2C) (\tan A+\tan B)-2\overbrace{(\tan A+\tan B+\tan C)}^{\tan A \tan B \tan C}}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\\
& \\
& = 1 + \frac{(\sec^2A) (\tan B+\tan C)+(\sec^2B) (\tan C+\tan A)+(\sec^2C) (\tan A+\tan B)}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\\

\end{align*}$$

The numerator has to end up being ##\sec⁡ A \tan⁡ A \sec⁡ B \tan⁡ B \sec⁡ C \tan ⁡C## in order to get the answer. I have got the "+1" in the first term.

I do not know how to proceed from here. Some help in the form of hints would be welcome.
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
Physics news on Phys.org
Why didn't you use equation 2) from your relevant equations?
 
I have got the answer. Sorry to waste your time *blush*.

Let me finish my argument above nonetheless.

Continuing from above (Post#1)

\begin{align*}
& = 1 + \frac{(\sec^2A) (\tan B+\tan C)+(\sec^2B) (\tan C+\tan A)+(\sec^2C) (\tan A+\tan B)}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\\
& = 1+ \frac{\sec^2 A \frac{\sin A}{\cos B \cos C}+\sec^2 B \frac{\sin B}{\cos C \cos A}+\sec^2 C \frac{\sin C}{\cos A \cos B}}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\; \small{\text{[using}\;(\sin B \cos C+\cos B\sin C = \sin (B+C)=\sin (\pi -A) = \sin A\; \text{etc.})]}\\
&= 1+ \frac{\frac{\tan A+\tan B+\tan C}{\cos A \cos B \cos C}}{\tan A \tan B \tan C}\; \small{[\text{taking cos A cos B cos C as common LCM}]}\\
&=\boxed{1+\sec A \sec B \sec C} \; \small{[\text{Using}\; \tan A +\tan B +\tan C = \tan A \tan B \tan C]}\\
\end{align*}
 
I tried to combine those 2 formulas but it didn't work. I tried using another case where there are 2 red balls and 2 blue balls only so when combining the formula I got ##\frac{(4-1)!}{2!2!}=\frac{3}{2}## which does not make sense. Is there any formula to calculate cyclic permutation of identical objects or I have to do it by listing all the possibilities? Thanks
Since ##px^9+q## is the factor, then ##x^9=\frac{-q}{p}## will be one of the roots. Let ##f(x)=27x^{18}+bx^9+70##, then: $$27\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)^2+b\left(\frac{-q}{p}\right)+70=0$$ $$b=27 \frac{q}{p}+70 \frac{p}{q}$$ $$b=\frac{27q^2+70p^2}{pq}$$ From this expression, it looks like there is no greatest value of ##b## because increasing the value of ##p## and ##q## will also increase the value of ##b##. How to find the greatest value of ##b##? Thanks
Back
Top