23 Maths -- Trigonometry

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The Cosine Law


Proof:
↪ We consider a triangle ABC then we can have three possible figures where angle C is acute in figure i, right angle in figure ii and obtuse in figure iii.

From A draw AD perpendicular to BC ( Produce BC if necessary )

In ΔABC, AB2 = AD2 + BD2
⇒c2 = AD2 + BD → Ⅰ

In figure (i), 
⇒ AD = bSinC

Also, 
⇒ DC = ACCosC = bCosC
⇒ BD = BC -  DC = a-bCosC

Now from equation Ⅰ,
c2 = AD2 + BD2 (becomes)
c2 = (bSinC)2 + (a-bCosC)2
c2 = b2Sin2C + a2 - 2abCosC + b2CosC2
c2 = b2 + a2 - 2abCosC
⇒ 2abCosC = b2 + a2 - c2


Similarly in figure ii,

AB2 = BC2 + AC2
c2 = a2 + b2 = a2 + b2 - 2abCosC
2abCosC = a2 + b2 - c2


And in figure iii,



⇒ AD = bSinC

Also, 

⇒ CD = -bCosC
⇒ BD = BC + CD = a - bCosC

Now from equation Ⅰ,
c2 = AD2 + BD2 
   = (bSinC)2 + (a-bCosC)2
   = b2Sin2C + a2 + b2Cos2C - 2abCosC
   = b2 + a2 - 2abCosC
⇒ 2abCosC = b2 + a2 - c2


Finally in all figures, it is seen 
Similarly we can show




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