Prove Trig. Inequality: A,B & C Are Triangle Angles

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jean-Louis
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Inequality Trig
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on proving the inequality involving the sine of triangle angles, specifically that (sinA/2 + sinB/2 + sinC/2)^2 is greater than or equal to (sinA)^2 + (sinB)^2 + (sinC)^2. Participants suggest using trigonometric identities and manipulations to approach the proof. One contributor outlines a method involving the Law of Cosines and expresses frustration with the complexity of the proof. The conversation highlights the challenge of finding an elementary proof while ensuring the conditions of triangle angles are met. The thread concludes with a sense of exasperation over the intricate nature of the problem.
Jean-Louis
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Show that :

(sinA/2 + sinB/2 + sinC/2)^2 >= (sinA)^2 + (sinB)^2 + (sinC)^2

A,B and C are the angles of a triangle.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
Are you looking for an elementary proof using trig manipulations or identites?
I can't see anything, Ill just right the question again that other people might find easier to help you with.

Show that \frac{\sin A + \sin B + \sin C}{2} >= \sin^2 A + \sin^2 B + \sin^2 C
bounded by the condition A+B+C=\pi
 
Gib Z, i think you have wrote the question wrong. i think Jean-Louis wrote,

\left(\sin \frac{A}{2} + \sin \frac{B}{2} + \sin \frac{C}{2}\right)^{2} \geq \sin^2 A + \sin^2 B + \sin^2 C where A + B + C = \pi
 
Jean-Louis said:
Show that :

(sinA/2 + sinB/2 + sinC/2)^2 >= (sinA)^2 + (sinB)^2 + (sinC)^2

A,B and C are the angles of a triangle.

Have you tried doing anything? I'd multiply out the left hand side first, and see what happens.
 
I think I got it. Here it goes :

sin(x/2) = +/- sqrt((1-cos(x))/2)
and sin^2(z) = 1 - cos^2(x)

so that that (sinA)^2 + (sinB)^2 + (sinC)^2 = 3 - (cos^2(A) + cos^2(B) +
cos^2(C))

Now (sin A/2 + sin B/2 + sin C/2)^2 = (+/- sqrt((1-cos(A))/2) + +/-
sqrt((1-cos(B))/2) + +/- sqrt((1-cos(C)/2) ) ^2

If we let

A = +/- sqrt((1-cos(A))/2)
B = +/- sqrt((1-cos(B))/2)
C = +/- sqrt((1-cos(C))/2)

Then (sin A/2 + sin B/2 + sin C/2)^2 = A^2 + B^2 + C^2 + 2AB + 2AC + 2BC

A^2 = (1 - cos(A))/2
B^2 = (1 - cos(B))/2
C^2 = (1 - cos(C))/2

AB = 1/2 SQRT((1-cosA)(1-cosB))
AC = 1/2 SQRT((1-cosA)(1-cosC))
BC = 1/2 SQRT((1-cosB)(1-cosC))

so you have

(1 - cos(A))/2 + (1 - cos(B))/2 + (1 - cos(C))/2 +
SQRT((1-cosA)(1-cosB)) + SQRT((1-cosA)(1-cosC)) + SQRT((1-cosB)(1-cosC))
>= 3 - (cos^2(A) + cos^2(B) + cos^2(C))

Now the Law of cosines tells us this...

cosC = (a^2 + b^2 -c^2)/2ab
cosA = (b^2 + c^2 - a^2)/2bc
cosB = ((a^2 + c^2 - b^2)/2ac

You have all the equations in terms of cosines - substitute simplify...

QED
 
Kill me. Somebody kill me...
 
Seemingly by some mathematical coincidence, a hexagon of sides 2,2,7,7, 11, and 11 can be inscribed in a circle of radius 7. The other day I saw a math problem on line, which they said came from a Polish Olympiad, where you compute the length x of the 3rd side which is the same as the radius, so that the sides of length 2,x, and 11 are inscribed on the arc of a semi-circle. The law of cosines applied twice gives the answer for x of exactly 7, but the arithmetic is so complex that the...
Back
Top