In triangle $ABC$ if $\dfrac{[\triangle ABC]}{R} = 4$, then the value of $a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C$ is: [Note: $R$ is the circumradius of triangle $ABC$ and $[\triangle ABC]$ is the area of $\triangle ABC$]
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Sine rule, area formula, and trigonometric identities in triangles
Step 1: Express the area of triangle ABC in terms of circumradius.
The area of a triangle can be expressed as:
$$[\triangle ABC] = \frac{abc}{4R}$$
Step 2: Use the given condition to find a relationship.
Given that $\dfrac{[\triangle ABC]}{R} = 4$, we substitute the area formula:
$$\frac{[\triangle ABC]}{R} = \frac{abc}{4R^2} = 4$$
This gives us:
$$abc = 16R^2$$
Step 3: Express the sides in terms of circumradius and angles.
Using the extended sine rule, we have:
$$a = 2R\sin A, \quad b = 2R\sin B, \quad c = 2R\sin C$$
Step 4: Rewrite the target expression using the sine rule.
We need to find $a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C$. Substituting the expressions from Step 3:
$$a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C = 2R(\sin A\cos A + \sin B\cos B + \sin C\cos C)$$
Step 5: Apply the double angle formula.
Using $2\sin\theta\cos\theta = \sin 2\theta$:
$$a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C = R(\sin 2A + \sin 2B + \sin 2C)$$
Step 6: Use the identity for sum of sines of double angles in a triangle.
For any triangle, there is a known identity:
$$\sin 2A + \sin 2B + \sin 2C = 4\sin A\sin B\sin C$$
Therefore:
$$a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C = 4R\sin A\sin B\sin C$$
Step 7: Express the area in another form to find $\sin A\sin B\sin C$.
The area of the triangle can also be written as:
$$[\triangle ABC] = \frac{1}{2}ab\sin C = \frac{1}{2}(2R\sin A)(2R\sin B)\sin C = 2R^2\sin A\sin B\sin C$$
Step 8: Use the given condition to find $R\sin A\sin B\sin C$.
From the given condition $\dfrac{[\triangle ABC]}{R} = 4$:
$$\frac{2R^2\sin A\sin B\sin C}{R} = 4$$
$$2R\sin A\sin B\sin C = 4$$
$$R\sin A\sin B\sin C = 2$$
Step 9: Calculate the final answer.
Substituting back into the expression from Step 6:
$$a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C = 4R\sin A\sin B\sin C = 4 \times 2 = 8$$
**Final Answer: The value of $a\cos A + b\cos B + c\cos C$ is $\boxed{8}$, which corresponds to Option 3.**
Correct Answer: 3