\(a, b, c\) are the sides of a scalene triangle \(A B C\). If angles \(\alpha, \beta, \gamma\) lie between 0…

\(a, b, c\) are the sides of a scalene triangle \(A B C\). If angles \(\alpha, \beta, \gamma\) lie between 0 and \(\pi\) such that \(\cos \alpha=\frac{a}{b+c}, \cos \beta=\frac{b}{c+a}\) and \(\cos \gamma=\frac{c}{a+b}\), then \(\tan ^2 \frac{\alpha}{2}+\tan ^2 \frac{\beta}{2}+\tan ^2 \frac{\gamma}{2}=\)
  1. \(\frac{1}{3}\)
  2. 2
  3. 1
  4. \(\frac{3}{2}\)

Solution

It is given \(\cos \alpha=\frac{a}{b+c}\) \(\Rightarrow \quad \frac{1-\tan ^2 \frac{\alpha}{2}}{1+\tan ^2 \frac{\alpha}{2}}=\frac{a}{b+c}\) On applying componendo and dividendo law, we get \(\frac{2 \tan ^2 \alpha / 2}{2}=\frac{b+c-a}{b+c+a}\) \(\Rightarrow \quad \tan ^2 \alpha / 2=\frac{b+c-a}{a+b+c}\) Similarly, \(\quad \tan ^2 \frac{\beta}{2}=\frac{c+a-b}{a+b+c}\) and \(\tan ^2 \frac{\gamma}{2}=\frac{a+b-c}{a+b+c}\) So, \(\tan ^2 \frac{\alpha}{2}+\tan ^2 \frac{\beta}{2}+\tan ^2 \frac{\gamma}{2}=\frac{a+b+c}{a+b+c}=1\) Hence, option (c) is correct.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2019 (23 Apr Shift 1)

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