Trigonometry
Properties of Triangles
GRB_1000_SCQ
Grade Class 11
Question:
Suppose in $\triangle ABC$ with sides $a$, $b$, $c$ the following equation holds true:
$$\dfrac{\cos A}{a} + k_1 = \dfrac{\cos B}{b} + k_2 = \dfrac{\cos C}{c} + k_3 = \dfrac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}{8}$$
If $abc = 4$, then the value of $k_1 k_2 k_3$ is:
2
4
$\dfrac{1}{2}$
$\dfrac{1}{4}$
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept: Law of cosines used to express $\cos A / a$ in terms of sides, then using $abc = 4$ to simplify.
Step 1: Apply the Law of Cosines to express $\cos A$ in terms of the sides.
By the Law of Cosines, we have:
$$\cos A = \frac{b^2 + c^2 - a^2}{2bc}$$
Dividing both sides by $a$:
$$\frac{\cos A}{a} = \frac{b^2 + c^2 - a^2}{2abc}$$
Step 2: Define the common value and express $k_1$ in terms of it.
Let $S$ denote the common value:
$$S = \frac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}{8}$$
Since $\frac{\cos A}{a} + k_1 = S$, we can write:
$$k_1 = S - \frac{\cos A}{a} = \frac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}{8} - \frac{b^2 + c^2 - a^2}{2abc}$$
Step 3: Simplify $k_1$ using the condition $abc = 4$.
Since $abc = 4$, we have $2abc = 8$. Substituting this:
$$k_1 = \frac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2}{8} - \frac{b^2 + c^2 - a^2}{8}$$
Combining the fractions:
$$k_1 = \frac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2 - (b^2 + c^2 - a^2)}{8} = \frac{a^2 + b^2 + c^2 - b^2 - c^2 + a^2}{8} = \frac{2a^2}{8} = \frac{a^2}{4}$$
Step 4: Find $k_2$ and $k_3$ using the same approach.
By applying the same reasoning to angles $B$ and $C$:
$$k_2 = \frac{b^2}{4}$$
$$k_3 = \frac{c^2}{4}$$
Step 5: Calculate the product $k_1 k_2 k_3$.
$$k_1 k_2 k_3 = \frac{a^2}{4} \cdot \frac{b^2}{4} \cdot \frac{c^2}{4} = \frac{a^2 b^2 c^2}{64} = \frac{(abc)^2}{64}$$
Step 6: Substitute $abc = 4$ and find the final answer.
$$k_1 k_2 k_3 = \frac{(4)^2}{64} = \frac{16}{64} = \frac{1}{4}$$
Therefore, the value of $k_1 k_2 k_3$ is $\boxed{\frac{1}{4}}$, which corresponds to **Option 4**.
Correct Answer: 4