Statement. Prove that if x + y + z = π , then cos x + cos y + cos z ≤ 32 .

Proof.

Let f, g : R3 → R3 be such that


 f (x, y, z) = cos x + cos y + cos z

g(x, y, z) = x + y + z − π
Dene L(x, y, z, λ) such that

L(x, y, z, λ) = f (x, y, z) − λg(x, y, z)

Then the Lagrange's Multipliers Theorem states that f (x, y, z) reaches a local maximum with
the restriction g(x, y, z) = 0 if and only if ∇L = 0(⇔ ∇f = λ∇g). Therefore,


∂L
= − sin x − λ = 0

 ∂x


∂L
= − sin y − λ = 0 ⇒ λ = sin x = sin y = sin z


∂y


 ∂L
∂z = − sin z − λ = 0

In particular,

 x=y (1)
sin x = sin y ⇒

x = π − y (2)

1. 2x + z = π ⇒ z = π − 2x sin z = sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x = sin x

(i) x = y = nπ , n ∈ Z ⇒ z = (1 − 2n)π
- n even, (1-2n) odd ⇒ cos x = cos y = 1, cos z = −1 ⇒ f (x, y, z) = 1 < 23
- n odd, (1-2n) odd ⇒ cos x = cos y = −1, cos z = −1 ⇒ f (x, y, z) = −3 < 3
2
(ii) x = y ̸≡ π (mod. 2π) ⇒ sin x = sin y ̸= 0
sin z = 2 sin x cos x = sin x ⇒ cos x = 21 = cos y
⇒ x ≡ ± π3 (mod. 2π) ⇒ z ≡ ± π3 (mod. 2π) ⇒ cos z = 1
2 ⇒ f (x, y, z) = 3
2

2. x = π − y ⇒ x + y = π ⇒ z = π − (x + y) = 0 ⇒ cos z = cos 0 = 1
⇒ cos x = cos π − y = cos π cos y + sin π sin y = − cos y ⇒ f (x, y, z) = 1 < 3
2

By checking each case, and by Lagrange's Theorem verifying the restriction x + y + z = π , we

conclude that f (x, y, z) ≤ 32 .