SOLUTION: cosA+cosB+cosC=3/2 ,then show that the triangle is equilateral .

Algebra.Com
Question 696412: cosA+cosB+cosC=3/2 ,then show that the triangle is equilateral .
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20056)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
cos(A) + cos(B) + cos(C) = 

Let A=P+Q
and B=P-Q

(with hopes of showing that Q=0)

Then A+B = 2P and 
     A-B = 2Q

A+B+C = 180°
    C = 180°-(A+B)
    C = 180°-2P

Substituting in the given equation: 

cos(P+Q)+cos(P-Q)+cos(180°-2P) = 

 cos(P+Q) + cos(P-Q) - cos(2P) = 

We write an identity for each term on the left 
and add the three equations:

cos(P+Q) = cos(P)cos(Q)-sin(P)sin(Q)
cos(P+Q) = cos(P)cos(Q)+sin(P)sin(Q)
-cos(2P) = -[2cosē(P)-1]
------------------------------------
        = 2cos(P)cos(Q)-2cosē(P)+1

Clear the fraction:

       3 = 4cos(P)cos(Q)-4cosē(P)+2

Rearrange the equation with 0 on the right:

4cosē(P) - 4cos(Q)cos(P) + 1 = 0

That is a quadratic equation in cos(P).

Its solution(s) must be real so the
discriminant must be ≧ 0
              bē-4ac ≧ 0
        16cosē(Q)-16 ≧ 0
       16(cosē(Q)-1) ≧ 0
           cosē(Q)-1 ≧ 0
             cosē(Q) ≧ 1
The square of a cosine is never > 1
Therefore
             cosē(Q) = 1
              cos(Q) = ą1
             Q = 0° or 180°
           A-B = 2Q 

A and B cannot differ by 2(180°) or 360° so they 
must differ by 0°, so Q=0°, so

             A-B=0
               A=B

Now if we interchange B and C throughout the
above, we will get A=C.  So the three angles are 
equal and thus the triangle is equilateral.

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

For any triangle ABC, we have cosA + cosB + cosC =1+4SinA/2SinB/2SinC/2 and SinA/2 +... (answered by robertb)
In ΔABC, Given (a/cosA)=(b/cosB)=(c/cosC) . Prove that ΔABC is an equilateral... (answered by Edwin McCravy)
(1+cosA)(1+cosB)(1+ cosC) = (1-cosA)(1-cosB)(1-cosC) Show that one of the values of each (answered by stanbon)
In a triangle if CosA/a = CosB/b = CosC/c and if a = 2 then find the area of triangle... (answered by robertb)
if a/cosb=b/cosa then prove that triangle abc is right angled... (answered by solver91311)
sinA+sinB+sinC=3 find the value of... (answered by jsmallt9)
If A, B, C are angles of a triangle, prove that cosA + cosB + cosC =... (answered by MathLover1)
If cos(A-B)+cos(B-C)+cos(C-A)= -3/2, prove that:... (answered by robertb)
If cosA+cosB+cosC=0, prove that... (answered by ikleyn)