Let w,x,y, and z be positive real numbers such that 0=coswcosxcosycosz, 2π=w+x+y+z, 3tanw=k(1+secw), 4tanx=k(1+secx), 5tany=k(1+secy), 6tanz=k(1+secz). Find k.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
From the identity tan2u=1+cosusinu, the conditions work out to 3tan2w=4tan2x=5tan2y=6tan2z=k. Let a=tan2w,b=tan2x,c=tan2y, and d=tan2z. Using the identity tan(M+N)=1−tanMtanNtanM+tanN, we obtain tan(2w+x+2y+z)=1−tan(2w+x)tan(2y+z)tan(2w+x)+tan(2y+z)=1−(1−aba+b)(1−cdc+d)1−aba+b+1−cdc+d=1+abcd−ab−ac−ad−bc−bd−cda+b+c+d−abc−abd−bcd−acd. Because x+y+z+w=π, we get that tan(2x+y+z+w)=0 and thus a+b+c+d=abc+abd+bcd+acd. Substituting a,b,c,d corresponding to the variable k, we obtain that k3−19k=0. Therefore, k can be only 0,19,−19. However, k=0 is impossible as w,x,y,z will all be 0. Also, k=−19 is impossible as w,x,y,z will exceed π. Therefore, k=19.
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