Skip to content
Question of 150

Q.Prove that : cos⁡2π7cos⁡4π7cos⁡8π7=18\cos\dfrac{2\pi}{7} \cos\dfrac{4\pi}{7} \cos\dfrac{8\pi}{7} = \dfrac{1}{8}.

Telangana TsbieTelangana Board of Intermediate Education (Intermediate 1st Year) 2020Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
0% · 0/150 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Multiply by sin⁡(2π/7)\sin(2\pi/7) and repeatedly apply the double-angle formula 2sin⁡αcos⁡α=sin⁡2α2\sin\alpha\cos\alpha=\sin2\alpha to telescope the product down to a single sine ratio.

Let θ=2π7\theta=\dfrac{2\pi}{7}, so we must prove cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ=18\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\dfrac18.

Step 1. Multiply and divide by 2sin⁡θ2\sin\theta (valid since sin⁡θ≠0\sin\theta\ne0):

cos⁡θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ=2sin⁡θcos⁡θ⋅cos⁡2θcos⁡4θ2sin⁡θ=sin⁡2θcos⁡2θcos⁡4θ2sin⁡θ\cos\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta=\dfrac{2\sin\theta\cos\theta\cdot\cos2\theta\cos4\theta}{2\sin\theta}=\dfrac{\sin2\theta\cos2\theta\cos4\theta}{2\sin\theta}

Step 2. Apply 2sin⁡2θcos⁡2θ=sin⁡4θ2\sin2\theta\cos2\theta=\sin4\theta to the numerator (multiply/divide by another factor of 2):

=sin⁡4θcos⁡4θ4sin⁡θ=sin⁡8θ8sin⁡θ(using 2sin⁡4θcos⁡4θ=sin⁡8θ again)=\dfrac{\sin4\theta\cos4\theta}{4\sin\theta}=\dfrac{\sin8\theta}{8\sin\theta}\quad(\text{using }2\sin4\theta\cos4\theta=\sin8\theta\text{ again})

Step 3. Substitute θ=2π7\theta=\dfrac{2\pi}{7}, so 8θ=16π7=2π+2π78\theta=\dfrac{16\pi}{7}=2\pi+\dfrac{2\pi}{7}: …

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.