3

in $\Delta ABC$,$AB=c,AC=b,BC=a$and such

$$ab^2\cos{A}=bc^2\cos{B}=ca^2\cos{C}$$

show that $\Delta ABC$ is an equilateral triangle

this problem I have solution,But not nice, and I think this problem have more nice methods,Thank you everyone.

my solution: $$ab^2\cdot\dfrac{b^2+c^2-a^2}{2bc}=bc^2\cdot\dfrac{a^2+c^2-b^2}{2ac}=ca^2\cdot\dfrac{a^2+b^2-c^2}{2ab}$$ $$\Longrightarrow a=b=c$$

My other idea:

$$\Longleftrightarrow\dfrac{\sin{B}}{\sin{C}}\cos{A}=\dfrac{\sin{C}}{\sin{A}}\cos{B}=\dfrac{\sin{A}}{\sin{B}}\cos{C}$$ $$\Longleftrightarrow \sin{(2A)}\sin{B}=\sin{(2B)}\sin{C}=\sin{(2C)}\sin{A}$$ then How prove $$A=B=C$$ and have other nice methods? Thank you

math110
  • 93,304

2 Answers2

4

Dividing throughout by $abc$, we get

$$ \frac{b^2+c^2 - a^2}{c^2} = \frac{a^2 + c^2 - b^2}{a^2} = \frac{a^2+b^2-c^2}{b^2}.$$

Subtracting 1 from each term,

$$ \frac{b^2- a^2}{c^2} = \frac{ c^2 - b^2}{a^2} = \frac{a^2-c^2}{b^2}.$$

Applying Componendo et dividendo, these fractions are equal to

$$ \frac{ b^2-a^2+c^2-b^2+a^2-c^2} { c^2 + a^2 + b^2}$$

Hence, all of them are 0, which means $a=b=c$.

Calvin Lin
  • 68,864
  • 1
    @math110 Judging from your comment on quarkine, is this the solution that you are thinking of? This is pretty 'nice', unless you want a more synthetic approach. – Calvin Lin Sep 12 '13 at 04:23
  • Yes,It's very nice,and Thank you +1 – math110 Sep 12 '13 at 04:29
  • and I think it maybe can use $$\dfrac{\sin{B}}{\sin{C}}\cos{A}=\dfrac{\sin{C}}{\sin{A}}\cos{B}=\dfrac{\sin{A}}{\sin{B}}\cos{C}$$ – math110 Sep 12 '13 at 04:31
  • @math110 Thanks. The motivation behind this is that since the equations are not symmetric, looking at just 2 of them is not sufficient to conclude that $a=b$. Com et div is the simplest way to combine 3 fractions, which is why I thought about using it. It could be used initially, to show that each fraction is 1. – Calvin Lin Sep 12 '13 at 04:35
  • Oh,Thank you very much,I know,+1 – math110 Sep 12 '13 at 04:36
  • When was you introduced to Componendo et dividendo? At junior high school, senior high school, university, or ? – kiss my armpit Nov 06 '13 at 15:11
  • @Marienplatz I participated in math olympiads, so I was introduced to the idea much earlier than normal. I'd say in grade 6-8 or so? – Calvin Lin Nov 06 '13 at 15:21
  • I see because I think most people don't know it. – kiss my armpit Nov 06 '13 at 15:28
  • @Marienplatz Yes, which is why I provided a link to explain what it is. It's not a standard technique taught to most high school students, but it's one that you will see in middle school math competitions. I also know OP's standard, based on questions that he has posed before. – Calvin Lin Nov 06 '13 at 15:31
2

Hint:divide all the three by abc and then proceed.

O_huck
  • 500
  • 5
  • 16