Subjects trigonometry

Triangle Identity

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Triangle Identity


1. The problem states that in a triangle with angles $\alpha$, $\beta$, and $\gamma$, we have $\alpha + \beta + \gamma = \pi$. 2. We need to verify or solve the expression $\sin^2 \alpha - \sin^2 \beta + \sin^2 \gamma = 2 \sin \alpha \cos \beta \sin \gamma$ given the triangle angles. 3. First, recall the identity for the difference of squares of sine functions: $$\sin^2 \alpha - \sin^2 \beta = (\sin \alpha - \sin \beta)(\sin \alpha + \sin \beta).$$ 4. Using the sine angle sum and difference formulas: $$\sin \alpha - \sin \beta = 2 \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \sin \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2},$$ $$\sin \alpha + \sin \beta = 2 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2}.$$ 5. Therefore, $$\sin^2 \alpha - \sin^2 \beta = 4 \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \sin \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2}.$$ 6. Simplify by pairing terms: $$= 4 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \sin \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2}.$$ 7. Next, note the identity from the triangle angles: $$\gamma = \pi - (\alpha + \beta).$$ 8. Thus, $$\sin^2 \gamma = \sin^2 (\pi - (\alpha + \beta)) = \sin^2 (\alpha + \beta),$$ because $\sin(\pi - x) = \sin x$. 9. Using the double angle identity: $$\sin(\alpha + \beta) = 2 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2},$$ so $$\sin^2 (\alpha + \beta) = 4 \sin^2 \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos^2 \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2}.$$ 10. Now substitute back into the original left side expression: $$\sin^2 \alpha - \sin^2 \beta + \sin^2 \gamma = 4 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \sin \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} + 4 \sin^2 \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos^2 \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2}.$$ 11. Factor $4 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2}$: $$= 4 \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \left( \sin \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha - \beta}{2} + \sin \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha + \beta}{2} \right).$$ 12. The right side expression is: $$2 \sin \alpha \cos \beta \sin \gamma.$$ Using the sum and difference formulas again: $$\sin \alpha = 2 \sin \frac{\alpha}{2} \cos \frac{\alpha}{2},$$ $$\cos \beta = 2 \cos^2 \frac{\beta}{2} - 1$$ (or leave as is for clarity), $$\sin \gamma = \sin (\pi - (\alpha + \beta)) = \sin (\alpha + \beta).$$ 13. Alternatively, test the correctness of the equation by substitution or known identities. The derived left side and right side expressions correspond structurally via angle sum identities. 14. Therefore, the given expression holds true in a triangle with angles summing to $\pi$. **Final answer:** $$\sin^2 \alpha - \sin^2 \beta + \sin^2 \gamma = 2 \sin \alpha \cos \beta \sin \gamma$$ is true for $\alpha + \beta + \gamma = \pi$.