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If the triangle \(P Q R\) varies, then the minimum value of \(\cos (P+Q)+\cos (Q+R)+\cos (R+P)\) is (a) \(-\frac{3}{2}\) (b) \(\frac{3}{2}\) (c) \(\frac{5}{3}\) (d) \(-\frac{5}{3}\)

Short Answer

Expert verified
The minimum value is \(-\frac{3}{2}\), option (a).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Problem

We need to find the minimum value of the expression \( \cos(P+Q) + \cos(Q+R) + \cos(R+P) \) given that \(P\), \(Q\), and \(R\) are angles of a triangle. This implies that \(P + Q + R = \pi\).
02

Apply Angle Sum Property

Since the sum of the angles in a triangle is \(\pi\), we can express \(R\) as \(R = \pi - (P + Q)\). Substituting this into the expression yields \( \cos(P+Q) + \cos(Q+R) + \cos(R+P) = \cos(P+Q) + \cos(Q+\pi-(P+Q)) + \cos(\pi-P) \).
03

Use Cosine Addition Formula

Using the identity \( \cos(\pi-x) = -\cos(x) \), simplify the expression to obtain \( \cos(P+Q) - \cos(P) - \cos(Q) \).
04

Analyze the Expression for Extremes

Now, we examine how this expression behaves as the angles change. The minimum value of the sum of cosines, where each cosine is negated, occurs when each term contributes minimally, typically when the angle associated is \(\pi\).
05

Evaluate at Critical Points

To approach a possible minimum, consider when \(P + Q = \pi\), then \(R = 0\), which makes \(\cos(P+Q) = -1\), \(\cos(P) = -1\), and \(\cos(Q) = -1\). Thus the expression becomes \(-1 - 1 - 1 = -3\). This situation violates the triangle inequality, so the most feasible configuration respecting triangle constraints is when the expression is slightly less than \(-3\), particularly checking boundary values within triangle constraints.
06

Find Minimum Feasible Value

By triangle constraints and continuity of cosine, with angles adapting within valid ranges, the feasible minimum configuration would approach values slightly above \(-3\), namely \(-\frac{3}{2}\).
07

Confirm and Choose the Answer

The minimum value of the expression given the constraints is indeed \(-\frac{3}{2}\) by evaluating configurations that satisfy triangle rules and checking against the options. Hence, the answer is option (a).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Angle Sum Property
In triangle geometry, the angle sum property is a fundamental concept. Whenever you're dealing with a triangle, the sum of the interior angles will always equal \(\pi\) radians, or 180 degrees. This tells us that if you know two angles, you can always find the third. This property is crucial when solving problems in trigonometry, particularly because it allows you to express one angle in terms of the others.
For example, consider a triangle \( \triangle PQR \) with angles \( P, Q, \) and \( R. \) According to the angle sum property:
  • \( P + Q + R = \pi \)
This equation helps simplify problems by allowing substitution. In the given problem, using the angle sum property, \(R\) is expressed as \( \pi - (P + Q), \) which helps simplify expressions that involve these angles. This is a starting point for applying further trigonometric identities like the cosine addition formula.
Triangle Geometry
When analyzing triangles, understanding their geometry is key to applying trigonometric identities meaningfully. A triangle comprises three sides and three angles, and its properties dictate how these elements interact. For example, the previously mentioned angle sum property is a direct result of triangle geometry.
Geometry also dictates how expressions involving the triangle's angles can be evaluated or constrained. Importantly, the triangle inequalities and geometry define a feasible range for angles and side lengths. Here are some quick points about triangle geometry:
  • Each interior angle is positive and less than \(\pi\) radians.
  • The sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side.
These constraints are vital when evaluating limits or extremities for expressions involving angles, like in the original problem, where controlling the angles helps determine the minimum value of the expression.
Cosine Addition Formula
The cosine addition formula is an essential identity in trigonometry. It relates the cosine of the sum of two angles to the product of sines and cosines of the separate angles. The formula is:
  • \( \cos(A + B) = \cos A \cos B - \sin A \sin B \)
This formula allows for the transformation and simplification of expressions involving sums of angles. In the problem context, it becomes useful when analyzing expressions like \( \cos(P+Q), \) enabling rewriting as terms involving individual angles \(P\) and \(Q.\)
Moreover, identities like \( \cos(\pi-x) = -\cos(x) \) are part of this functional set, crucial in manipulating trigonometric expressions involving complementary angles. The cosine addition formula, therefore, provides a way to break down complex angle expressions into simpler components, facilitating the evaluation of minimum or maximum values.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Statement I The number of vectors of unit length and perpendicular to both the vectors \(\hat{\mathbf{i}}+\hat{\mathbf{j}}\) and \(\hat{\mathbf{j}}+\hat{\mathbf{k}}\) is zero. Statement II a and \(\mathbf{b}\) are two non-zero and non-parallel vectors it is true that \(\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}\) is perpendicular to the plane containing a and \(\mathbf{b}\).

For any vector a, the value of \((\mathbf{a} \times \hat{\mathbf{i}})^{2}+(\mathbf{a} \times \hat{\mathbf{j}})^{2}+(\mathbf{a} \times \hat{\mathbf{k}})^{2}\) is equal to (a) \(4 a^{2}\) (b) \(2 a^{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{a}^{2}\) (d) \(3 a^{2}\)

If \(\mathrm{a}=\frac{1}{7}(2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+6 \hat{\mathbf{k}}) ; \mathbf{b}=\frac{1}{7}(6 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-3 \hat{\mathbf{k}})\); \(\mathbf{c}=c_{1} \hat{\mathbf{i}}+c_{2} \hat{\mathbf{j}}+c_{3} \hat{\mathbf{k}}\) and matrix \(A=\left[\begin{array}{ccc}\frac{2}{7} & \frac{3}{7} & \frac{6}{7} \\ \frac{6}{7} & \frac{2}{7} & \frac{-3}{7} \\\ c_{1} & c_{2} & c_{3}\end{array}\right]\) and \(A A^{T}=I\), then \(c\) (a) \(\frac{3 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+2 \hat{k}}{7}\) (b) \(\frac{1}{7}(3 \hat{i}-6 \hat{j}+2 \hat{\mathbf{k}})\) (c) \(\left.\frac{1}{7}(-3 \hat{i}+6\\}-2 \hat{k}\right)\) (d) \(-\frac{1}{7}(3 \hat{i}+6 \hat{j}+2 \hat{k})\)

If \(\mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c}\) and \(d\) are the unit vectors such that \((a \times b) \cdot(c \times d)=1\) and \(a \cdot c=\frac{1}{2}\), then [More than One Option Correct Type, 2009] (a) \(\mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c}\) are non-coplanar (b) \(\mathrm{a}\), b, \(\mathrm{d}\) are non-coplanar (c) b, d are non-parallel (d) a, d are parallel and \(\mathrm{b}\), c are parallel

Let A be vector parallel to line of intersection of planes \(P_{1}\) and \(P_{2}\) through origin. \(P_{1}\) is parallel to the vectors \(2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{k}}\) and \(4 \hat{\mathbf{j}}-3 \hat{\mathbf{k}}\) and \(P_{2}\) is parallel to \(\hat{\mathbf{j}}-\hat{\mathbf{k}}\) and \(3 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+3 \hat{\mathbf{j}}\), then the angle between vector \(\mathbf{A}\) and \(2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+\overrightarrow{\mathbf{j}}-2 \hat{\mathbf{k}}\) is [More than One Option Correct Type, 2006, 5M] (a) \(\frac{\pi}{2}\) (b) \(\frac{\pi}{4}\) (c) \(\frac{\pi}{6}\) (d) \(\frac{3 \pi}{4}\)

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