Prove that in any triangle $ABC$,$\cos A = \frac{b^{2} + c^{2} - a^{2}}{2bc}$,where $a, b, c$ are the lengths of the sides opposite to the vertices $A, B, C$ respectively.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider a triangle $ABC$ with sides $a, b, c$ opposite to vertices $A, B, C$. Draw a perpendicular $BD$ from vertex $B$ to side $AC$. Let $D$ be the point on $AC$ such that $BD \perp AC$.
In the right-angled triangle $ABD$,we have:
$AD = c \cos A$
$BD = c \sin A$
Since $AC = b$,the length $CD = AC - AD = b - c \cos A$.
Now,in the right-angled triangle $BDC$,by the Pythagorean theorem:
$BC^{2} = BD^{2} + CD^{2}$
$a^{2} = (c \sin A)^{2} + (b - c \cos A)^{2}$
Expanding the terms:
$a^{2} = c^{2} \sin^{2} A + b^{2} + c^{2} \cos^{2} A - 2bc \cos A$
Using the identity $\sin^{2} A + \cos^{2} A = 1$:
$a^{2} = b^{2} + c^{2}(\sin^{2} A + \cos^{2} A) - 2bc \cos A$
$a^{2} = b^{2} + c^{2} - 2bc \cos A$
Rearranging the terms to solve for $\cos A$:
$2bc \cos A = b^{2} + c^{2} - a^{2}$
$\cos A = \frac{b^{2} + c^{2} - a^{2}}{2bc}$

Explore More

Similar Questions

In a triangle $ABC$,with usual notations,if $a=5$,$b=7$,and $\sin A=\frac{3}{4}$,then the total number of triangles possible is:

If,in a $\triangle ABC$,$\tan \frac{A}{2} = \frac{5}{6}$ and $\tan \frac{C}{2} = \frac{2}{5}$,then $a, b, c$ are such that :

In a $\Delta ABC,$ if $(\sin A + \sin B + \sin C)(\sin A + \sin B - \sin C) = 3\sin A\sin B,$ then the angle $C$ is equal to

In a $\triangle ABC$,the sides $a, b, c$ are in $A$.$P$. if and only if $r_1, r_2, r_3$ are in

If $A, B, C$ are angles of a triangle,then $\sin 2A + \sin 2B - \sin 2C$ is equal to

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo