We are given that sin a + sin b =1 and cos a + cos b = 1/2. We have to determine cos(a - b).
cos(a - b) = (cos a)(cos b) + (sin a)(sin b)
sin a + sin b =1
square both the sides
=> (sin a)^2 + (sin b)^2 + 2(sin a)(sin b) = 1 ...(1)
cos a + cos b =1/2
square both the sides
=> (cos a)^2 + (cos b)^2 + 2(cos a)(cos b) = 1/4 ...(2)
Add (1) and (2)
=> (sin a)^2 + (sin b)^2 + 2(sin a)(sin b) + (cos a)^2 + (cos b)^2 + 2(cos a)(cos b) = 1 + 1/4
=> 1 + 1 + 2(sin a)(sin b) + 2(cos a)(cos b) = 1 + 1/4
=> 2(sin a)(sin b) + 2(cos a)(cos b) = -3/4
=> (sin a)(sin b) + (cos a)(cos b) = -3/8
=> cos (a - b) = -3/8
The value of cos(a - b) = -3/8
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