6 Solutions of Triangle

The process of calculating the sides and angles of triangle using given information is called solution of
triangle.
In a ABC, the angles are denoted by capital letters A, B and C and the length of the sides opposite
these angles are denoted by small letter a, b and c respectively.

Sine Formulae
In any triangle ABC
a b c abc
= = == = 2R
sin A sinB sinC 2
where R is circumradius and  is area of triangle.
A

b
c
h

B C
D a
Example 1:
Angles of a triangle are in 4 : 1 : 1 ratio. The ratio between its greatest side and perimeter is
3 3 3 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2+ 3 2+ 3 2− 3 2+ 3
Solution:
Angles are in ratio 4 : 1 : 1.
 angles are 120°, 30°, 30°.
If sides opposite to these angles are a, b, c respectively, then a will be the greatest side.
a b c
Now from sine formula = =
sin 120 sin30 sin30
a b c
 = =
3 /2 1/2 1/2
a b c
 = = = k (say)
3 1 1

then a = 3 k, perimeter = (2 + 3 )k
3k 3
 required ratio = = Ans. (B)
(2 + 3 ) k 2+ 3

Example 2:
In triangle ABC, if b = 3, c = 4 and B = /3, then number of such triangles is -
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 0 (D) infinites

Solutions of Triangle 207

 Solution:
sinB sinC
Using sine formulae =
b c
sin  / 3 sinC 3 sinC 2
 =  =  sin C = > 1 which is not possible.
3 4 6 4 3
Hence there exist no triangle with given elements. Ans. (C)

Example 3:
The sides of a triangle are three consecutive natural numbers and its largest angle is twice the
smallest one. Determine the sides of the triangle.
A

n n+1

C n+2 B
Solution:
Let the sides be n, n + 1, n + 2 cms.
i.e. AC = n, AB = n + 1, BC = n + 2
Smallest angle is B and largest one is A.
Here, A = 2B
Also, A + B + C = 180°
 3B + C = 180° C = 180° 3B
We have, sine law as,
sin A sinB sinC sin2B sinB sin(180 − 3B)
= =  = =
n+2 n n+ 1 n+2 n n+ 1
sin2B sinB sin3B
 = =
n+2 n n+ 1
(i) (ii) (iii)
from (i) and (ii);
2sinBcosB sinB n+2
=  cosB = ..........(iv)
n+2 n 2n
and from (ii) and (iii);
sinB 3 sinB − 4 sin3 B
=
n n+ 1
sinB sinB(3 − 4sin2B)
 =
n n+ 1
n+ 1
 =3 4 (1 cos2B) ............(v)
n
from (iv) and (v), we get
2
n+ 1 n + 2
= 1 + 4 
n  2n 

208 Solutions of Triangle

 n+ 1  n2 + 4n + 4 
 +1 =  
n  n2 
2n + 1 n + 4n + 4
2
 = 2n2+ n = n2+ 4n + 4
n n2
 n2 3n 4 = 0 (n 4)(n + 1) = 0
n = 4 or 1
where n  1
 n = 4. Hence the sides are 4, 5, 6 Ans.

Concept Builders - 1


(i) If in a ABC, A = and b : c = 2 : 3 , find B .
6
(ii) Show that, in any ABC : a sin(B C) + b sin(C A) + c sin(A B) = 0.
sin A sin ( A − B)
(iii) If in a ABC, = , show that a2, b2, c2are in A.P.
sinC sin (B − C )

Cosine Formulae
b2 + c2 − a2 c2 + a2 − b2
(a) cosA = (b) cosB =
2bc 2ca
a +b −c
2 2 2
(c) cosC = or a2= b2+ c2 2bc cosA
2ab

Example 4:
In a triangle ABC, if B = 30° and c = 3 b, then A can be equal to -
(A) 45° (B) 60° (C) 90° (D) 120°
Solution:
c2 + a2 − b2 3 3b2 + a2 − b2
We have cos B =  =
2ca 2 2  3b  a
 a 3ab + 2b = 0 (a 2b) (a b) = 0
2 2

 Either a = b  A = 30°
or a = 2b
 a2= 4b2= b2+ c2A = 90°. Ans. (C)

Example 5:
In a triangle ABC, (a2 b2 c2) tan A + (a2 b2+c2) tan B is equal to -
(A) (a2+ b2 c2) tan C (B) (a2+ b2+ c2) tan C
(C) (b + c a ) tan C
2 2 2
(D) none of these
Solution:
Using cosine law :
The given expression is equal to 2 bc cos A tan A + 2 ac cos B tan B
 sinA sinB 
= 2abc  − +  =0 Ans. (D)
 a b 

Solutions of Triangle 209

 Concept Builders - 2

(i) If a : b : c = 4 : 5 : 6, then show that C = 2A.

(ii) In any ABC, prove that
cosA cosB cosC a2 + b2 + c2
(a) + + =
a b c 2abc
b2 c2 a2 a 4 + b4 + c4
(b) cos A + cos B + cos C =
a b c 2abc

Projection Formulae
(a) b cos C + c cos B = a
(b) c cos A + a cos C = b
(c) a cos B + b cos A = c

Example 6:
A C 3b
In a ABC, c cos2 + a cos2 = , then show a, b, c are in A.P.
2 2 2
Solution:
c a 3b
Here, (1+ cosA) + (1 + cosC) =
2 2 2
 a + c + (c cos A + a cos C) = 3b
 a + c + b = 3b {using projection formula}
 a + c = 2b
which shows a, b, c are in A.P.

Concept Builders - 3

 5
(i) In a ABC, if A = , B = , show that a + c 2 = 2b.
4 12
(ii) In a ABC, prove that :
(a) b(a cosC c cosA) = a2 c2
 C B
(b) 2  bcos2 + ccos2  = a + b + c
 2 2

Napier's Analogy (Tangent Rule)

B− C b−c A C − A  c−a B
(a) tan   = cot (b) tan   = cot
 2  b + c 2  2  c + a 2
 A −B a −b C
(c) tan   = cot
 2  a +b 2

210 Solutions of Triangle

Example 7:
In a ABC, the tangent of half the difference of two angles is one-third the tangent of half the
sum of the angles. Determine the ratio of the sides opposite to the angles.
Solution:
 A −B 1  A +B
Here, tan   = tan   ........(i)
 2  3  2 
 A − B a −b C
using Napier's analogy, tan   = .cot   ........ (ii)
 2  a +b 2
from (i) and (ii);
1  A +B a −b C 1 C a −b C
tan   = .cot    cot   =   .cot  
3  2  a + b 2 3 2
   a + b  2
 A +B  C C
{as A + B + C =  tan   =tan  −  = cot }
 2  2 2 2
a −b 1
 = or 3a 3b = a + b
a +b 3
a 2 b 1
2a = 4b or =  =
b 1 a 2
Thus the ratio of the sides opposite to the angles is b : a = 1 : 2. Ans.

Concept Builders - 4

B − C 
tan  
(i) In any ABC, prove that
b−c
=  2 
b+c B + C 
tan  
 2 
(ii) If ABC is right angled at C, prove that :
A c −b a2 − b2
(a) tan = (b) sin(A B) =
2 c+b a2 + b2

Half Angle Formulae

a +b+c
s= = semi-perimeter of triangle.
2
A (s− b)(s− c) B (s − c)(s − a) C (s− a)(s− b)
(a) (i)sin = (ii) sin = (iii) sin =
2 bc 2 ca 2 ab
A s(s− a) B s(s− b) C s(s − c)
(b) (i) cos = (ii) cos = (iii) cos =
2 bc 2 ca 2 ab
A (s− b)(s− c) B (s− c)(s− a) C (s− a)(s− b)
(c) (i) tan = (ii) tan = (iii) tan =
2 s(s− a) 2 s(s− b) 2 s(s− c)
  
= = =
s(s − a) s(s − b) s(s − c)

Solutions of Triangle 211

 (d) Area of Triangle
1 1 1 1 1 1
= s(s− a)(s− b)(s− c) = bc sin A = ca sin B = ab sinC = ap1 = bp2 = cp3,
2 2 2 2 2 2
where p1, p2, p3 are altitudes from vertices A, B, C respectively.

Example 8:
If in a triangle ABC, CD is the angle bisector of the angle ACB, then CD is equal to-
a +b C 2ab C 2ab C bsinDAC
(A) cos (B) sin (C) cos (D)
2ab 2 a +b 2 a +b 2 sin(B + C / 2)
Solution:
CAB = CAD + CDB
1 1 C 1 C
 absinC = b.CD.sin   + a.CD sin  
2 2 2 2 2
C  C  C 
 CD (a + b) sin   = ab  2sin   cos   
2  2  2 
2abcos(C / 2)
So, CD =
(a + b)
CD b
and in CAD, = (by sine rule)
sin  DAC sin CDA
b sin DAC
 CD = Ans. (C, D)
sin(B+ C/ 2)
Example 9:
s2
If  is the area and 2s the sum of the sides of a triangle, then show   .
3 3
Solution:
We have, 2s = a + b + c, 2= s(s a)(s b)(s c)
Now, A.M.  G.M.
(s − a) + (s − b) + (s − c)
{(s a)(s b)(s c)}1/3
3
1/3
3s − 2s   2 
or  
3  s 
1/3
s  2 
or  
3  s 

 2 s3 s2
or    Ans.
s 27 3 3

212 Solutions of Triangle

 Concept Builders - 5

(i) Given a = 6, b = 8, c = 10. Find

A A A
(a) sinA (b)tanA (c) sin (d) cos (e) tan (f) 
2 2 2
A B C
(ii) Prove that in any ABC, (abcs) sin . sin . sin = 2
2 2 2

m-n Theorem

 


B C
m D n
(m + n) cot = m cot  n cot 
(m + n) cot = n cot B m cot C.

Radius of the Circumcircle 'R'

A

R b
c
O
R R

B D a C

Circumcentre is the point of intersection of perpendicular bisectors of the sides and distance
between circumcentre and vertex of triangle is called circumradius 'R'.
a b c abc
R= = = = .
2sinA 2sinB 2sinC 4

Radius of the Incircle 'r'

Point of intersection of internal angle bisectors is incentre and perpendicular distance of
incentre from any side is called inradius 'r'.
A

I r
r

r
B C

Solutions of Triangle 213

  A B C A B C
r= = (s a)tan = (s b) tan = (s c) tan = 4R sin sin sin .
s 2 2 2 2 2 2
B C A C B A
sin sin sin sin sin sin
=a 2 2 =b 2 2 =c 2 2
A B C
cos cos cos
2 2 2

Example 10:
In a triangle ABC, if a : b : c = 4 : 5 : 6, then ratio between its circumradius and inradius is-
16 16 7 11
(A) (B) (C) (D)
7 9 16 7
Solution:
R abc  (abc) s R abc
= =  = ....(i)
r 4 s 4 2
r 4(s− a)(s− b)(s− c)

a b c
  a:b:c=4:5:6 = = = k(say)  a = 4k, b = 5k, c = 6k
4 5 6

a +b+c 15k 7k 5k 3k
 s= = ,s a= ,s b= ,s c=
2 2 2 2 2
R (4k)(5k)(6k) 16
using (i) in these values = = Ans. (A)
r  7k   5k   3k  7
4   
 2  2  2 
Example 11:
r
If A, B, C are the angles of a triangle, prove that : cosA + cosB + cosC = 1 + .
R
Solution:
 A +B  A −B
cosA + cosB + cosC =2cos   .cos   + cosC
 2   2 
C  A −B C C   A -B   C 
= 2sin .cos   +1 2sin2 = 1 + 2sin cos   − sin   
2  2  2 2   2   2 

C   A −B  A + B  
 C 
 A + B 
= 1 + 2 sin cos   − cos    = 90 −  
2   2   2 
  2  2 


C A B A B C
=1 + 2sin .2sin .sin = 1 + 4sin .sin . sin
2 2 2 2 2 2
r
=1+ {as, r = 4R sin A/2 . sinB/2 . sinC/2}
R
r
 cosA + cosB + cosC = 1 + . Hence proved.
R

214 Solutions of Triangle

 Concept Builders - 6

(i) If in ABC, a = 3, b = 4 and c = 5, find

(a)  (b) R (c) r
(ii) In a ABC, show that:
a2 − b2 A B C  abc
(a) = 2Rsin(A B) (b) r cos cos cos = (c) a + b + c =
c 2 2 2 4R 2Rr
(iii) Let  and ' denote the areas of a triangle and that of its incircle. Prove that
 A B C
: ' =  cot .cot .cot  : 
 2 2 2

Radii of The Ex-Circles

Point of intersection of two external angles and one internal angle bisectors is excentre and
perpendicular distance of excentre from any side is called ex radius. If r1is the radius of escribed
circle opposite to A of ABC and so on, then
A

c b
B a C

r1 r1
I1

B C
acos cos
 A A B C 2 2
(a) r1 = = s tan = 4R sin cos cos =
s−a 2 2 2 2 A
cos
2
A C
bcos cos
 B A B C 2 2
(b) r2 = = s tan = 4Rcos sin cos =
s −b 2 2 2 2 B
cos
2
A B
ccos cos
 C A B C 2 2
(c) r3 = = s tan = 4R cos cos sin =
s−c 2 2 2 2 C
cos
2
I1, I2and I3aretaken as ex-centre opposite to vertex A, B, C respectively.

Example 12:
b−c c −a a −b
Value of the expression + + is equal to -
r1 r2 r3
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 0
Solution:
(b− c) (c− a) (a − b)
+ +
r1 r2 r3

Solutions of Triangle 215

 s−a s −b s−c
 (b c)   + (c a)   + (a b).  
        

(s− a)(b− c) + (s− b)(c− a) + (s− c)(a − b)




s(b− c+ c− a+ a− b) − [ab− ac+ bc− ba+ ac− bc] 0

= = =0
 

b−c c −a a −b
Thus, + + =0 Ans. (D)
r1 r2 r3

Example 13:

If r1= r2+ r3+ r, prove that the triangle is right angled.

Solution:

We have, r1 r = r2+ r3

    s−s+a s−c + s−b

 − = +  =
s −a s s −b s −c s(s− a) (s− b)(s− c)

a 2s − (b + c)
 = {as, 2s = a + b + c}
s(s− a) (s − b)(s − c)

a a
 =  s2 (b + c) s + bc = s2 as
s(s− a) (s− b)(s− c)

(b + c − a)(a + b + c)
 s( a + b + c) = bc  = bc
2
 (b + c)2 (a)2= 2bc  b2+ c2+ 2bc a2= 2bc

 b2+ c2= a2

 A = 90°. Ans.

Concept Builders - 7

(i) In an equilateral ABC, R = 2, find

(a)r (b)r1 (c)a

(ii) In a ABC, show that

1 2 2  1 1  1 1  1 1 
(a)r1r2+ r2r3+ r3r1= s2 (b) r s  −   −   −  = R
4  r r1   r r2   r r3 

(c) rrr r =
1 2 3

216 Solutions of Triangle

Angle Bisectors and Medians

c b

B C
D
An angle bisector divides the base in the ratio of corresponding sides.
BD c ac ab
=  BD = and CD =
CD b b+c b+c
If ma and a are the lengths of a median and an angle bisector from the angle A then,
A
2bccos
1 2
ma = 2b + 2c − a and a =
2 2 2

2 b+c
3
Note that m2a + mb2 + m2c = (a2 + b2 + c2)
4

Orthocentre
(a) Point of intersection of altitudes is orthocentre and the triangle KLM which is formed by
joining the feet of the altitudes is called the pedal triangle.
A

M L
P

B K C
(b) The distances of the orthocentre from the angular points of the ABC are 2R cosA,
2R cosB, and 2R cosC.
(c) The distance of P from sides are 2R cosB cosC, 2R cosC cosA and 2R cosA cosB.

Concept Builders - 8

(i) If x, y, z are the distance of the vertices of ABC respectively from the orthocentre, then prove
a b c abc
that + + =
x y z xyz
(ii) If p1, p2, p3 are respectively the perpendiculars from the vertices of a triangle to the opposite
sides, prove that
a2b2c2 1
(a) p1p2p3= (b) = Rp p p
8R3 2 1 2 3
(iii) In a ABC, AD is altitude and H is the orthocentre prove that AH : DH = (tanB + tanC): tanA
(iv) In a ABC, the lengths of the bisectors of the angle A, B and C are x, y, z respectively.
1 A 1 B 1 C 1 1 1
Show that cos + cos + cos = + + .
x 2 y 2 z 2 a b c

Solutions of Triangle 217

 Regular Polygon
A regular polygon has all its sides equal. It may be inscribed or circumscribed.


r n
h
a
(a) Inscribed in circle of radius r:
 
(i) a = 2h tan = 2r sin
n n
(ii) Perimeter (P) and area (A) of a regular polygon of n sides inscribed in a circle of
 1 2
radius rare given by P = 2nr sin and A = nr2 sin
n 2 n
(b) Circumscribed about a circle of radius r:


n
r
a

(i) a = 2r tan
n
(ii) Perimeter (P) and area (A) of a regular polygon of n sides circumscribed about a
 
given circle of radius r is given by P = 2nr tan and A = nr2 tan
n n

Concept Builders - 9

(i) If the perimeter of a circle and a regular polygon of n sides are equal, then prove that

tan
area of the circle n
=
area of polygon 
n
(ii) The ratio of the area of n-sided regular polygon, circumscribed about a circle, to the area of the
regular polygon of equal number of sides inscribed in the circle is 4 : 3. Find the value of n.

Some Notes
(a) (i) If a cos B = b cos A, then the triangle is isosceles.
(ii) If a cos A = b cos B, then the triangle is isosceles or right angled.

(b) In right angle triangle

(i) a2+ b2+ c2= 8R2 (ii) cos2A + cos2B + cos2C = 1

218 Solutions of Triangle

 (c) In equilateral triangle
3R
(i) R = 2r (ii) r1= r2= r3 =
2
3a 2 a
(iii) r : R : r1= 1 : 2 : 3 (iv) area = (v) R=
4 3
(d) (i) The circumcentre lies (1) inside an acute angled triangle (2) outside an obtuse
angled triangle and (3) midpoint of the hypotenuse of right-angled triangle.
(ii) The orthocentre of right-angled triangle is the vertex at the right angle.
(iii) The orthocentre, centroid and circumcentre are collinear and centroid divides
the line segment joining orthocentre and circumcentre internally in the ratio
2 : 1 except in case of equilateral triangle. In equilateral triangle, all these centres
coincide
(e) Area of a cyclic quadrilateral = (s− a)(s− b)(s− c)(s− d) where a, b, c, d are lengths of the
a +b+c +d
sides of quadrilateral and s =
2

Solutions of Triangle 219

 ANSWER KEY FOR CONCEPT BUILDER

1. (i) 90°

3 3 1 3 1
5. (i) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 24
5 4 10 10 3

5
6. (i) (a) 6 (b) (c) 1
2

7. (i) (a) 1 (b) 3 (c) 2 3

9. (ii) 6

220 Solutions of Triangle

 Objective Exercise - I

b 3
1. Angles A, B and C of a triangle ABC are in A.P. If = , then A is equal to:
c 2
  5 
(A) (B) (C) (D)
6 4 12 2

2. If K is a point on the side BC of an equilateral triangle ABC and if BAK = 15°, then the ratio of
AK
lengths is:
AB

(A)
3 2 3+ 3 ( ) (B)
(
2 3+ 3 )
2 2

(C)
(
2 3− 3 ) (D)
3 2 3− 3 ( )
2 2

3. In a triangle ABC, A = 60° and b : c = ( )

3 + 1 : 2 then (B C) has the value equal to:

(A) 15° (B) 30° (C) 22.5 ° (D) 45°

4. In an acute triangle ABC, ABC = 45°, AB = 3 and AC = 6 . The angle BAC, is:
(A) 60° (B) 65° (C) 75° (D) 15° or 75°

b 2+ 3 + 2 − 1
5. In a triangle ABC, if A = 30° and = , then C, is equal to:
c 2+ 3 − 2 + 1
1° 1°
(A) 75° (B) 15° (C) 52 (D)97
2 2

4
6. In a triangle ABC, if a = 6, b = 3 and cos(A B) = , the area of the triangle is:
5
15
(A) 8 (B) 9 (C) 12 (D)
2

c
7. In ABC, if a = 2b and A = 3B, then the value of is equal to:
b
(A) 3 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 3


8. If the sides of a triangle are sin, cos, 1 + sin  cos ,0<< , the largest angle is:
2
(A) 60° (B) 90° (C) 120° (D) 150°

Solutions of Triangle 221

 9. If the angle A, B and C of a triangle are in an arithmetic progression and if a, b and c denote the
lengths of the sides opposite to A, B and C respectively, then the value of expression:
a c 
E =  sin2C + sin2A  , is
c a 
1 3
(A) (B) (C) 1 (D) 3
2 2

10. If in a triangle sin A : sin C = sin (A B) : sin (B C) then a2: b2: c2:
(A) are in A.P. (B) are in G.P. (C) are in H.P. (D) none of these

A b+c
11. In triangle ABC, if cot = , then triangle ABC must be:
2 a
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in ABC.]
(A) isosceles (B) equilateral (C) right angled (D) isoceles right angled

12. Consider a triangle ABC and let a, b and c denote the lengths of the sides opposite to vertices
A, Band C respectively. If a = 1, b = 3 and C = 60°, then sin2B is equal to:
27 3 81 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
28 28 28 3

13. The ratio of the sides of a triangle ABC is1 : 3 : 2. Then ratio of A : B : C is:
(A) 3 : 5 : 2 (B) 1 : 3 :2 (C) 3 : 2 : 1 (D) 1 : 2 : 3

14. If the angles of a triangle are the ratio 4 : 1 : 1, then the ratio of the longest side to the perimeter
is:
2 2 3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2+ 3 2− 3 2− 3 2+ 3

15. In a triangle tan A : tan B : tan C = 1 : 2 : 3, then a2: b2: c2 equals:

(A) 5 : 8 : 9 (B) 5 : 8 : 12 (C) 3 : 5 : 8 (D) 5 : 8 : 10

16. With 11, 13, 290 + 143 3 as sides:

(A) no triangle exists
2
(B) triangle exists with an angle
3
3
(C) triangle exists with an angle
4
5
(D) triangle exists with an angle
6

tanC
17. In ABC if a = 8, b = 9, c = 10, then the value of is:
sinB
32 24 21 18
(A) (B) (C) (D)
9 7 4 5

222 Solutions of Triangle

 4 24
18. Given an acute triangle ABC such that sin C = , tan A = and AB = 50. The area of the triangle
5 7
ABC is equal to:
(A) 600 (B) 1200 (C) 1800 (D) 2400

19. In a triangle ABC, if a, b, c are in A.P. Then a possible value of B, is:

(A) 45° (B) 75° (C) 90° (D) 120°

20. If cos A + cos B + 2 cos C = 2, then the sides of triangle ABC are in:
(A) A.P. (B) G.P. (C) H.P. (D) Not in A.P, G.P, H.P.

21. In a triangle ABC, if cos A cos B + sin A sin B sin C = 1, then a : b : c is equal to:
(A) 1 : 1 : 2 (B) 2 : 3 : 5 (C) 1 : 2 :1 (D) 3 : 4 : 5

 cos A  p
22. In a triangle ABC, if the sides a, b, c are roots of x 3 11x2+ 38x 40 = 0. If   = , then
 a  q
find the least value of (p + q).
(A) 36 (B) 25 (C) 42 (D) 20

23. In ABC, angle A is 120°, BC + CA = 20 and AB + BC = 21, then find the length of the side BC.
(A) 15 (B) 13 (C) 17 (D) 19

1
24. ABC is a triangle such that sin (2A + B) = sin (C A) = sin (B + 2C) = . If A, B, C are in A.P.,
2
find A, B, C.
(A) 35°, 85°, 60° (B) 40°, 80°, 60° (C) 30°, 70°, 80° (D) 45°, 60°, 74°

25. A triangle has vertices A, B and C, and the respective opposite sides have lengths a, b and c.
This triangle is inscribed in a circle of radius R. If b = c = 1 and the altitude from A to side BC
2
has length , then R equals:
3
1 2 3 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 3 2 2 2

26. A circle is inscribed in a right triangle ABC, right angled at C. The circle is tangent to the segment
AB at D and length of segments AD and DB are 7 and 13 respectively. Area of triangle ABC is
equal to:
(A) 91 (B) 96 (C) 100 (D) 104

27. In a triangle ABC, if a = 13, b = 14 and c = 15, then angle A is equal to:
(All symbols used have their usual meaning in a triangle.)
4 3 3 2
(A) sin 1
(B) sin 1
(C) sin 1
(D) sin 1
5 5 4 3

Solutions of Triangle 223

 28. In a triangle ABC, if b = ( 3 1) a and C = 30°, then the value of (A B) is equal to:
(All symbols used have usual meaning in a triangle.)
(A) 30° (B) 45° (C) 60° (D) 75°

29. In triangle ABC, if AC = 8, BC = 7 and D lies between A and B such that AD = 2, BD = 4, then the
length CD equals:
(A) 46 (B) 48 (C) 51 (D) 75

30. In a triangle ABC, if C = 105°, B = 45° and length of side AC = 2 units, then the length of the
side AB is equal to:
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 2+1 (D) 3+1

8a2b2c2
31. In a triangle ABC, if (a + b + c) (a + b c) (b + c a) (c + a b) = , then the triangle
a2 + b2 + c2
is:
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) isosceles (B) right angled (C) equilateral (D) obtuse angled

32. In triangle ABC, if 2b = a + c and A C = 90°, then sin B equals:

[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
7 5 7 5
(A) (B) (C) (D)
5 8 4 3

ANSWER KEY

1. (C) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (B) 7. (D)

8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (A) 11. (C) 12. (A) 13. (D) 14. (D)

15. (A) 16. (D) 17. (A) 18. (B) 19. (A) 20. (A) 21. (A)

22. (B) 23. (B) 24. (D) 25. (D) 26. (A) 27. (A) 28. (C)

29. (C) 30. (D) 31. (B) 32. (C)

224 Solutions of Triangle

 Objective Exercise - II

Single Correct Type Questions

1. In a triangle ABC, a3+ b3+ c3= c2(a + b + c)
(All symbol used have usual meaning in a triangle.)
Statement 1: The value of C = 60°.
Statement 2: ABC must be equilateral.
(A) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is correct explanation for
statement-1.
(B) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is true and statement-2 is NOT the correct explanation for
statement-1.
(C) Statement-1 is true, statement-2 is false.
(D) Statement-1 is false, statement-2 is true.

2. The sides of a triangle are three consecutive integers. The largest angle is twice the smallest
one. The area of triangle is equal to:
5 15 15
(A) 7 (B) 7 (C) 7 (D) 5 7
4 2 4

3. The sides a, b, c (taken in that order) of triangle ABC are in A.P.

a b c  
If cos  = , cos  = , cos  = then tan2   + tan2   is equal to:
b+c c+a a +b 2 2
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
1 1 2
(A) 1 (B) (C) (D)
2 3 3
 
4. AD and BE are the medians of a triangle ABC. If AD = 4, DAB = , ABE = , then area of
6 3
triangle ABC equals:
8 16 32 32
(A) (B) (C) (D) 3
3 3 3 9

5. In triangle ABC, if sin3A + sin3B + sin3C = 3sinA. sinB. sinC, then triangle is:
(A) obtuse angled (B) right angled (C) obtuse right angled (D) equilateral

r
6. For right angled isosceles triangle,=
R
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
   
(A) tan (B) cot (C) tan (D) cot
12 12 8 8

1 1 3
7. In triangle ABC, If + = then angle C is equal to:
a+c b+c a +b+c
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) 30° (B) 45° (C) 60° (D) 90°

Solutions of Triangle 225

 8. ABCD is a trapezium such that AB and CD are parallel and BC ⊥ CD. If ADB = , BC = p and
CD = q, then AB is equal to:

(A)
(p2 + q 2 )sin  (B)
p2 + q 2 cos  (C)
p2 + q 2 (D)
(p2 + q 2 )sin 
p cos  + q sin  p cos  + q sin  p2 cos  + q 2 sin  (p cos  + q sin )2

9. In a triangle ABC, if A = 30°, b = 10 and a = x, then the values of x for which there are 2 possible
triangles is given by(All symbols used have usual meaning in a triangle.):
5 5 5
(A) 5 < x < 10 (B) x < (C) < x < 10 (D) < x < 10
2 3 2

10. Let ABC be a right triangle with length of side AB = 3 and hypotenuse AC = 5.If D is a point on
BD AB
BC such that = , then AD is equal to:
DC AC
4 3 3 5 4 5 5 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 2 3 4

11. If the lengths of the medians of a triangle ABC are 6, 8,10 then area of triangle is equal to:
(A) 24 (B) 32 (C) 16 (D) 36

12. In triangle ABC, If s = 3 + 3+ 2 , 3B C = 30°, A + 2B = 120°, then the length of longest side
of triangle is:
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) 2 (B) 2 2 (C) 2( 3 + 1) (D) 3−1

A C
13. In ABC, if a,b,c (taken in that order) are in A.P. then cot
cot =
2 2
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4

14. In triangle ABC, if = a2 (b c)2, then tan A =

[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
15 1 8 8
(A) (B) (C) (D)
16 2 17 15

One or More Than One Correct Type Questions

15. In a triangle ABC, let 2a2+ 4b2+ c2= 2a(2b + c), then which of the following holds good?
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in a triangle.]:
−7
(A) cos B = (B) sin (A C) = 0
8
r 1
(C) = (D) sin A : sin B : sin C = 1 : 2 : 1
r1 5

226 Solutions of Triangle

16. In a triangle ABC, if a = 4, b = 8,C = 60°, then which of the following relations is (are) correct?
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) The area of triangle ABC is 8 3
(B) The value of sin2A = 2
2 3
(C) Inradius of triangle ABC is
3+ 3
4
(D) The length of internal angle bisector of angle C is
3

17. In which of the following situations, it is possible to have a triangle ABC?

(All symbols used have usual meaning in a triangle.)
(A) (a + c b) (a c + b) = 4bc (B) b2sin 2C + c2sin 2B = ab
2 A −C A +C
(C) a = 3, b = 5, c = 7 and C = (D) cos   = cos  
3  2   2 

18. In a triangle ABC, which of the following quantities denote the area of the triangle?
a2 − b2  sinAsinB  rr r
(A)   (B) 1 2 3

2  sin(A− B)   rr 1 2

a +b +c
2 2 2
A B C
(C) (D) r2 cot . cot cot
cot A + cotB + cot C 2 2 2

19. In ABC, angle A, B and C are in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3, then which of the following is (are) correct?
(All symbol used have usual meaning in a triangle.)
(A) Circumradius of ABC = c (B) a : b : c = 1 : 3:2
3 2
(C) Perimeter of ABC = 3 + 3 (D) Area of ABC = c
8

20. Let one angle of a triangle be 60°, the area of triangle is 10 3 and perimeter is 20 cm. If
a > b > c where a, b and c denote lengths of sides opposite to vertices A, B and C respectively,
then which of the following is (are) correct?
(A) Inradius of triangle is 3 (B) Length of longest side of triangle is 7
7 1
(C) Circumradius of triangle is (D) Radius of largest escribed circle is
3 12

21. In triangle ABC, let b = 10, c = 10 2 and R = 5 2 then which of the following statement(s) is(are)
correct?
[Note: All symbols used have usual meaning in triangle ABC.]
(A) Area of triangle ABC is 50.
(B) Distance between orthocentre and circumcentre is 5 2
(C) Sum of circumradius and inradius of triangle ABC is equal to 10
5
(D) Length of internal angle bisector of ACB of triangle ABC is
2 2

Solutions of Triangle 227

 22. In a triangle ABC, let BC = 1, AC = 2 and measure of angle C is 30°. Which of the following
statement(s) is (are) correct?
(A) 2 sin A = sin B
(B) Length of side AB equals 5 2 3
(C) Measure of angle A is less than 30°
(D) Circumradius of triangle ABC is equal to length of side AB

23. Let P be an interior point of ABC.

Match the correct entries for the ratios of the Area of PBC : Area of PCA : Area of PAB
depending on the position of the point P w.r.t. ABC.
Column-I Column-II
(A) If P is centroid (G) (P) tanA : tanB : tanC
(B) If P is incentre (I) (Q) sin2A : sin2B : sin2C
(C) If P is orthocentre (H) (R) sinA : sinB : sinC
(D) If P is circumcentre (S) 1:1:1
(T) cos A : cosB : cosC

ANSWER KEY

1. (C) 2. (C) 3. (D) 4. (D) 5. (D) 6. (C) 7. (C)

8. (A) 9. (A) 10. (B) 11. (B) 12. (C) 13. (C) 14. (D)

15. (BC) 16. (AB) 17. (BC) 18. (ABD) 19. (BD) 20. (AC) 21. (ABC)

22. (ACD) 23. (A)-S; (B)-R; (C)-P; (D)-Q

228 Solutions of Triangle

 Subjective Exercise - I

1. Given a triangle ABC with sides a = 7, b = 8 and c = 5. If the value of the expression (  sinA )
 A p p
  cot  can be expressed in the form where p, q  N and is in its lowest form find the
 2 q q
value of (p + q).

2. If two times the square of the diameter of the circumcircle of a triangle is equal to the sum of
the squares of its sides then prove that the triangle is right angled.

3. In acute angled triangle ABC, a semicircle with radius r a is constructed with its base on BC and
tangent to the other two sides. rb and rc are defined similarly. If r is the radius of the incircle of
2 1 1 1
triangle ABC then prove that, = + + .
r ra rb rc

4. If the length of the perpendiculars from the vertices of a triangle A, B, C on the opposite sides
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
are p1, p2, p3 then prove that + + = = + + .
p1 p2 p3 r r1 r2 r3

5. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, a cot A + b cot B + c cot C = 2(R + r)

6. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, Rr (sin A + sin B + sin C) = 

A B C s2
7. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, cot +cot +cot =
2 2 2 
a2 + b2 + c2
8. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, cot A + cot B + cot C =
4
 c
9. If a, b, c are the sides of triangle ABC satisfying log  1 +  + log a log b = log 2.
 a
Also a(1 x2) + 2bx + c(1 + x2) = 0 has two equal roots. Find the value of sinA + sinB + sinC.

b−c c −a a −b
10. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, + + =0
r1 r2 r3
r1 r2 r3 3
11. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, + + =
(s− b)(s− c) (s− c)(s− a) (s− a)(s− b) r

abc A B C
12. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, cos cos cos =
s 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 a2 + b2 + c2
13. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC, 2 + 2 + + =
r r1 r22 r32 2

14. With usual notations, prove that in a triangle ABC,2R cos A = 2R + r r1

15. If r1= r + r2+ r3 then prove that the triangle is a right-angled triangle.

ANSWER KEY
12
1. 107 9.
5

Solutions of Triangle 229

 Subjective Exercise - II

b+c c+a a +b
1. With usual notation, if in a  ABC, = = ; then prove that,
11 12 13
cos A cosB cosC
= = .
7 19 25

2. Given a triangle ABC with AB = 2 and AC = 1. Internal bisector of BAC intersects BC at D. If

AD = BD and is the area of triangle ABC, then find the value of 122.

b+c A b−c
3. For any triangle ABC, if B = 3C, show that cos C = and sin = .
4c 2 2c

cot C
4. In a triangle ABC if a2 + b2 = 101c2 then find the value of .
cot A + cotB

5. The two adjacent sides of a cyclic quadrilateral are 2 and 5 and the angle between them is 60°.
If the area of the quadrilateral is 4 3 , find the remaining two sides.

6. If in a ABC, a = 6, b = 3 and cos(A B) = 4/5 then find its area.

a b
7. In a ABC, (i) = (ii) 2 sin A cos B = sin C
cos A cosB
A A C
(iii) tan2 + 2 tan tan 1 = 0, prove that (i)  (ii) (iii) (i).
2 2 2

8. Two sides of a triangle are of lengths 6 and 4 and the angle opposite to smaller side is 30 0.
How many such triangles are possible? Find the length of their third side and area.

9. The triangle ABC (with side lengths a, b, c as usual) satisfies

log a2= log b2+ log c2 log (2bc cosA). What can you say about this triangle?

10. The sides of a triangle are consecutive integers n, n + 1 and n + 2 and the largest angle is twice
the smallest angle. Find n.

ANSWER KEY

2. 9 4. 50 5. 3 cms and 2 cms

6. 9 sq. unit

8. ( ) ( ) ( ) (
Two triangle 2 3 − 2 , 2 3 + 2 , 2 3 − 2 , and 2 3 + 2 sq. units )
9. triangle is isosceles 10. 4

230 Solutions of Triangle

 JEE-Main (Previous Year Questions)

1. If the lengths of the sides of a triangle are in A.P. and the greatest angle is double the smallest,
then a ratio of lengths of the sides of this triangle is: [JEE (Main)-2019]
(1) 5 : 6 : 7 (2) 3 : 4 : 5 (3) 4 : 5 : 6 (4) 5 : 9 : 13

2. The angles A, B and C of a triangle ABC are in A.P. and a : b = 1 : 3 . If c = 4 cm, then the area
(in sq. cm) of this triangle is: [JEE (Main)-2019]
2 4
(1) 4 3 (2) (3) 2 3 (4)
3 3

3. If 5, 5r, 5r2 are the lengths of the sides of a triangle, then r cannot be equal to:
[JEE (Main)-2019]
7 5 3 3
(1) (2) (3) (4)
4 4 2 4

4. With the usual notation in ABC, if A + B = 120º, a = 3 + 1 and b = 3 − 1, then the ratio
A : B, is: [JEE (Main)-2019]
(1) 5 : 3 (2) 9 : 7 (3) 3 : 1 (4) 7 : 1

b+c c +a a +b cos A cosB cosC

5. Given = = for a ABC with usual notation. If = = , then the
11 12 13   
ordered triad (, , ) has a value: [JEE (Main)-2019]
(1) (3, 4, 5) (2) (5, 12, 13) (3) (7, 19, 25) (4) (19, 7, 25)

sinA sin ( A − C )
6. let = , where A, B, C are angles of a triangle ABC. If the lengths of the sides
sinB sin ( C − B)

opposite these angles are a, b, c respectively, then: [JEE (Main)-2021]

(1) b2 a2 = a 2 + c 2 (2) b2, c2, a2 are in A.P.
(3) c2, a2, b2 are in A.P. (4) C2, b2, c2 are in A. P.

3
7. If in a triangle ABC, AB = 5 units, B = cos 1
  and radius of circumcircle of ABC is 5 units,
5
then the area (in sq. units) of ABC is: [JEE (Main)-2021]

(1) 10 + 6 2 (2) 8 + 2 2 (3) 6 + 8 3 (4) 4 + 2 3

Solutions of Triangle 231

 8. Let in a right angle triangle, the smallest angle be . If a triangle formed by taking the reciprocal
of its sides is also a right angled triangle, then sin  is equal to: [JEE (Main)-2021]

5+1 5−1 2−1 5−1

(1) (2) (3) (4)
4 2 2 4
a +b b+c c+a
9. Let a, b and c be the length of sides of a triangle ABC such that = = . If r and R
7 8 9
are the radius of incircle and radius of circumcircle of the triangle ABC, respectively, then the
R
value of is equal to: [JEE (Main)-2022]
r
5 3
(1) (2) 2 (3) (4) 1
2 2

10. In ABC, the lengths of sides AC and AB are 12 cm and 5cm, respectively. If the area of ABC is
30cm2 and R and r are respectively the radii of circumcircle and incircle of ABC then the value
of 2R + r (in cm) is equal to________ [JEE (Main)-2022]

ANSWER KEY

1. (3) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (4) 5. (3) 6. (2) 7. (3)

8. (2) 9. (1) 10. (15)

232 Solutions of Triangle

 JEE-Advanced (Previous Year Questions)

1. (i) If the angle A,B and C of a triangle are in an arithmetic progression and if a, b and c denote
the length of the sides opposite to A,B and C respectively, then the value of the expression
a c
sin2C + sin2A, is -
c a

1 3
(A) (B) (C) 1 (D) 3
2 2
(ii) Consider a triangle ABC and let a,b and c denote the length of the sides opposite to vertices

A,B and C respectively. Suppose a = 6, b = 10 and the area of the triangle is 15 3 . If ACB
is obtuse and if r denotes the radius of the incircle of the triangle, then r 2is equal to

(iii) Let ABC be a triangle such that ACB = and let a, b and c denote the lengths of the sides
6
opposite to A, B and C respectively. The value(s) of x for which a = x 2+ x + 1, b = x2 1 and
c = 2x + 1 is/are [JEE(Advanced)-2010]

(
(A) − 2 + 3 ) (B) 1 + 3 (C) 2 + 3 (D) 4 3

7 5
2. Let PQR be a triangle of area with a = 2, b = and c = , where a, b and c are the lengths of
2 2
2 sinP − sin2P
the sides of the triangle opposite to the angles at P, Q and R respectively. Then
2 sinP + sin2P
equals: [JEE(Advanced)-2012]
2 2
3 45  3   45 
(A) (B) (C)   (D)  
4 4  4   4 

1
3. In a triangle PQR, P is the largest angle and cos P = . Further the incircle of the triangle
3
touches the sides PQ, QR and RP at N, L and M respectively, such that the lengths of PN, QL
and RM are consecutive even integers. Then possible length(s) of the side(s) of the triangle is
(are) [JEE(Advanced)-2013]
(A) 16 (B) 18 (C) 24 (D) 22

4. In a triangle the sum of two sides is x and the product of the same two sides is y. If x2 c2= y,
where c is a third side of the triangle, then the ratio of the in-radius to the circum-radius of
the triangle is - [JEE(Advanced)-2014]
3y 3y 3y 3y
(A) (B) (C) (D)
2x(x + c) 2c(x + c) 4x(x+ c) 4c(x + c)

Solutions of Triangle 233

 5. In a triangle XYZ, let x, y, z be the lengths of sides opposite to the angles X, Y, Z respectively
s−x s−y s−z 8
and 2s = x + y + z. If = = and area of incircle of the triangle XYZ is , then:
4 3 2 3
[JEE(Advanced)-2016]
(A) Area of the triangle XYZ is 6 6
35
(B) the radius of circumcircle of the triangle XYZ is 6
6
X Y Z 4
(C) sin sin sin =
2 2 2 35
 X + Y  3
(D) sin2   =
 2  5

6. In a triangle PQR let PQR = 300 and the sides PQ and QR have lengths 10 3 and 10,
respectively, Then, which of the following statement(s) is are TRUE?
(A) QPR = 450 [JEE(Advanced)-2018]
(B) The area of the triangle PQR is 25 3 and QRP = 120 0

(C) The radius of the incircle of the triangle PQR is 10 3 15

(D) The area of the circumcircle of the triangle PQR is 100 .

7. In a non-right-angled triangle PQR, let p, q, r denote the lengths of the sides opposite to the
angles at P, Q, R respectively. The median from R meets the side PQ at S, then perpendicular
from P meets the side QR and E, and RS and PE intersect at O. If p = 3 , q = 1 and the radius
of the circumcircle of the PQR equals 1, then which of the following options is/are correct?
[JEE(Advanced)-2019]
1
(A) Length of OE =
6
7
(B) Length of RS =
2
3
(C) Radius of incircle of PQR = (2 − 3)
2
3
(D) Area of SOE =
12

8. Let x, y and z be positive real numbers. Suppose x, y and z are lengths of the sides of a triangle
X Z 2y
opposite to its angles X, Y and Z, respectively. If tan + tan = , then which of the
2 2 x+y+z
following statements is/are true? [JEE(Advanced)-2020]
(A) 2Y = X + Z (B) Y = X + Z
X x
(C) tan = (D) x2 + z2 y2 = xz
2 y+z

cotA + cotC
9. In a triangle A BC, let AB = 23, BC=3 and CA = 4 . Then the value of is:
cotB
[JEE(Advanced)-2021]

234 Solutions of Triangle

10. Consider a triangle PQR having sides of lengths p, q and r opposite to the angles P, Q and R,
respectively. Then which of the following statements is (are) TRUE?
[JEE(Advanced)-2021]
p2
(A) cosP  1 −
2qr
   
(B) cosR    cosP +   cosQ
 p + q   p + q 
q+r sinQsinR
(C) 2
p sinP

p p
(D) If p < q and p < r , then cosQ > and cosR >
r q

ANSWER KEY

1. (i) (D) (ii) (C) (iii) (B)

2. (C) 3. (BD) 4. (B) 5. (ACD) 6. (BCD) 7. (ABC) 8. (BC)

9. 2 10. (AB)

Solutions of Triangle 235