NCERT Exemplar Solutions
Class 10 - Mathematics - CHAPTER 8: Introduction to Trignometry and Its Applications - Exercise 8.2
Question 10

Question. 10

\(\cos\theta=\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{2ab}\), where \(a,b\) are distinct and \(ab\gt0\).

Answer:

False.

Detailed Answer with Explanation:

Step 1: Recall that for any angle \(\theta\), the value of cosine is always between -1 and 1.

That is: \(-1 \leq \cos\theta \leq 1\).

Step 2: Now look at the right-hand side: \(\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{2ab}\).

Step 3: Use the AM–GM inequality:
For any positive numbers \(a\) and \(b\),
\(\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{2} \geq ab\),
and equality holds only if \(a=b\).

Step 4: Divide both sides by \(ab\gt0\):
\(\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{2ab} \geq 1\),
with equality only if \(a=b\).

Step 5: But in our question, \(a\) and \(b\) are distinct (not equal).
So, \(\dfrac{a^2+b^2}{2ab} \gt 1\).

Step 6: This means the RHS is always greater than 1.
But cosine values cannot be greater than 1.
Therefore, the given relation cannot be true.

Final Conclusion: The statement is False.

NCERT Exemplar Solutions Class 10 – Mathematics – CHAPTER 8: Introduction to Trignometry and Its Applications – Exercise 8.2 | Detailed Answers