If $p = \cos 55°$, $q = \cos 65°$ and $r = \cos 175°$, then the value of $\dfrac{1}{p} + \dfrac{1}{q} + \dfrac{r}{pq}$ is equal to:
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Sum-to-product formulas for cosines and properties of cosine function.
Step 1: Rewrite the expression with a common denominator.
We need to find $\dfrac{1}{p} + \dfrac{1}{q} + \dfrac{r}{pq}$. To combine these fractions, we express them with the common denominator $pq$:
$$\dfrac{1}{p} + \dfrac{1}{q} + \dfrac{r}{pq} = \dfrac{q}{pq} + \dfrac{p}{pq} + \dfrac{r}{pq} = \dfrac{p + q + r}{pq}$$
Step 2: Substitute the given values.
Now we substitute $p = \cos 55°$, $q = \cos 65°$, and $r = \cos 175°$:
$$\dfrac{p + q + r}{pq} = \dfrac{\cos 55° + \cos 65° + \cos 175°}{pq}$$
Step 3: Simplify $\cos 55° + \cos 65°$ using the sum-to-product formula.
We use the formula $\cos A + \cos B = 2\cos\left(\dfrac{A+B}{2}\right)\cos\left(\dfrac{A-B}{2}\right)$:
$$\cos 55° + \cos 65° = 2\cos\left(\dfrac{55° + 65°}{2}\right)\cos\left(\dfrac{65° - 55°}{2}\right)$$
$$= 2\cos(60°)\cos(5°) = 2 \cdot \dfrac{1}{2} \cdot \cos 5° = \cos 5°$$
Step 4: Simplify $\cos 175°$ using the supplementary angle identity.
We recognize that $175° = 180° - 5°$, so:
$$\cos 175° = \cos(180° - 5°) = -\cos 5°$$
Step 5: Find the sum $p + q + r$.
Combining the results from Steps 3 and 4:
$$p + q + r = \cos 55° + \cos 65° + \cos 175° = \cos 5° + (-\cos 5°) = 0$$
Step 6: Calculate the final answer.
Since the numerator equals zero:
$$\dfrac{p + q + r}{pq} = \dfrac{0}{pq} = 0$$
Therefore, the value of $\dfrac{1}{p} + \dfrac{1}{q} + \dfrac{r}{pq}$ is $\boxed{0}$.
The answer is **Option 1: 0**.
Correct Answer: 1