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Carlo Beenakker
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To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and qInscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$
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Carlo Beenakker
  • 188.1k
  • 18
  • 448
  • 651

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theoremPtolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$
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Carlo Beenakker
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It might beTo place the formula of interestthe OP into context, it is helpful to note a related formulathe identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$

The quadrilateral tangent formula in the OP can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p},$$ whereHere $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to these two diagonalsthe blue and their opposite anglesred diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} follows by rewriting "Ptolemy’s second theorem" is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

It might be of interest to note a related formula (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$

The quadrilateral tangent formula in the OP can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p},$$ where $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to these two diagonals and their opposite angles?


The formula \eqref{star} follows by rewriting "Ptolemy’s second theorem" $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$

To place the formula of the OP into context, it is helpful to note the identity (from Josefsson - More characterizations of cyclic quadrilaterals)

$$\frac{q-p}{q+p}=\frac{(a-c)(b-d)}{(a+c)(b+d)}.\tag{$*$}\label{star}$$ Here $q$ and $p$ are the lengths of the blue and red diagonals, with opposite angles $\alpha$ and $\beta$.

Inscribed quadrilateral, with labelled angles 𝛼 and 𝛽 and diagonals p and q

The quadrilateral tangent formula can thus be rewritten in a form that looks more like the triangle tangent formula, $$\frac{\tan\frac12(\alpha-\beta)}{\tan\frac12(\alpha+\beta)}=\frac{q-p}{q+p}.$$

Q: Is it obvious that the law of tangents applies to the blue and red diagonals?


The formula \eqref{star} is equivalent (upon rearrangement of the terms) to what is known as Ptolemy’s second theorem $$\frac{p}{q}=\frac{ad+bc}{ab+cd}.$$
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Carlo Beenakker
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Carlo Beenakker
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Carlo Beenakker
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