Trigonometry & Inverse Trigonometry
Trigonometric Equations in Triangles
Grade 11
Question:
<p><strong>Ex. 58:</strong> In \(\triangle ABC\), \(\tan B + \tan C = 5\) and \(\tan A \tan C = 3\), then</p><p>(a) \(\triangle ABC\) is an acute angled triangle</p><p>(b) \(\triangle ABC\) is an obtuse angled triangle</p><p>(c) sum of all possible values of \(\tan A\) is 10</p><p>(d) sum of all possible values of \(\tan A\) is 9</p>
<p>(a) and (c)</p>
<p>(b) and (d)</p>
<p>(a) and (d)</p>
<p>(c) only</p>
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: In a triangle with $A + B + C = \pi$, use the constraint $\tan(A+B) = -\tan C$ along with the given conditions to find all possible values of $\tan A$.
<p><strong>Step 1:</strong> Use the triangle angle sum property: $A + B + C = \pi$, so $A + B = \pi - C$.</p><p><strong>Step 2:</strong> Therefore $\tan(A+B) = \tan(\pi - C) = -\tan C$.</p><p><strong>Step 3:</strong> Using the addition formula: $\frac{\tan A + \tan B}{1 - \tan A \tan B} = -\tan C$.</p><p><strong>Step 4:</strong> Substitute $\tan B + \tan C = 5$, so $\tan B = 5 - \tan C$.</p><p><strong>Step 5:</strong> From the given $\tan A \tan C = 3$, we get $\tan A = \frac{3}{\tan C}$.</p><p><strong>Step 6:</strong> Substituting into the identity: $\frac{\frac{3}{\tan C} + 5 - \tan C}{1 - \frac{3}{\tan C}(5-\tan C)} = -\tan C$.</p><p><strong>Step 7:</strong> Solving yields two possible values of $\tan A$. The sum of all possible values is 10.</p><p><strong>Step 8:</strong> For both cases, all angles are acute, so the triangle is acute-angled.</p><p>∴ Answer is (a, c).</p>
Correct Answer: A