Can This Triangle Configuration Prove a Right Angle?

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In summary, the Pythagorean Theorem is a mathematical theorem that states the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. It is used to prove that a triangle is right-angled and has various applications in fields such as mathematics, physics, and engineering. The purpose of Problem #494 in the Jan. 19, 2022 POTW is to challenge students to apply this theorem and develop critical thinking skills. However, it cannot be used to prove that an acute or obtuse triangle is right-angled.
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Given a triangle $ABC$ such that angles $A,\,B$ and $C$ satisfy $\dfrac{\cos A}{20}+\dfrac{\cos B}{21}+\dfrac{\cos C}{29}=\dfrac{29}{420}$. Prove that $ABC$ is a right-angled triangle.

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No one answered POTW #494.
However, you can refer to the solution of other, as shown below:

Let $t=\arcsin \dfrac{21}{29}$ so that we have $\sin t=\dfrac{21}{29}$ and $\cos t=\dfrac{20}{29}$.

Writing $C=\pi-A-B$, the given equation becomes $\dfrac{\cos A}{\cos t}+\dfrac{\cos B}{\sin t}-\cos(A+B)=\dfrac{1}{\sin t\cos t}$, or can be simplified to

$\left(\dfrac{1}{\sin t}-\cos A\right)\left(\dfrac{1}{\cos t}-\cos B\right)=\sin A \sin B$.

Since $\sin A\sin B\ne 0$ so

$\dfrac{1}{\sin t}-\cos A=\alpha \sin A$ and $\dfrac{1}{\cos t}-\cos B=\dfrac{1}{\alpha}\sin B$ for some $\alpha >0$.

Writing $u=\arcsin \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{\alpha^2+1}}$, we get

$\dfrac{\sin u}{\sin t}=\sin (A+u)$ and $\dfrac{\cos u}{\cos t}=\cos B-u)$

$0<\sin u \le \sin t$ and $0<\cos u \le \cos t$ which implies $u=t$ and so $(A,\,B,\,C)=\left(\dfrac{\pi}{2}-t,\,t,\,\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)$.
 

FAQ: Can This Triangle Configuration Prove a Right Angle?

How do you prove that a triangle is right-angled?

To prove that a triangle is right-angled, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. If we can show that this equation holds true for the given triangle, we can prove that it is right-angled.

What is the Pythagorean theorem?

The Pythagorean theorem is a mathematical principle that states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It is often written as a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where c is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the lengths of the other two sides.

How do you use the Pythagorean theorem to prove a right-angled triangle?

To use the Pythagorean theorem to prove a right-angled triangle, we can set up the equation a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where a and b are the lengths of the two shorter sides and c is the length of the hypotenuse. Then, we can plug in the values for the sides of the triangle and solve for c. If the value of c is equal to the length of the hypotenuse, we have proven that the triangle is right-angled.

What is the difference between a right-angled triangle and an acute triangle?

A right-angled triangle is a triangle that has one angle that measures 90 degrees, while an acute triangle is a triangle that has all angles measuring less than 90 degrees. In a right-angled triangle, the side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse, while in an acute triangle, there is no specific name for any of the sides.

Can a triangle be both right-angled and equilateral?

No, a triangle cannot be both right-angled and equilateral. An equilateral triangle has all three sides equal in length, meaning that all three angles must also be equal. However, in a right-angled triangle, one of the angles measures 90 degrees, making it impossible for all three angles to be equal. Therefore, a triangle cannot be both right-angled and equilateral at the same time.

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