If $$\frac{{\cos \left( {x + A} \right)}}{a} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 2A} \right)}}{b} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 3A} \right)}}{c}$$        and A = 60°, x = 15°, then the value of $${\left( {\frac{{a + c}}{b}} \right)^2} + {\left( {\frac{{a - c}}{b}} \right)^2}$$   is . . . . . . . .

Solution (By Examveda Team)

$$\eqalign{ & \frac{{\cos \left( {x + A} \right)}}{a} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 2A} \right)}}{b} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 3A} \right)}}{c} \cr & A = {60^ \circ },\,\,x = {15^ \circ }{\text{ given,}} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\cos \left( {x + A} \right)}}{a} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 2A} \right)}}{b} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\cos \left( {{{15}^ \circ } + {{60}^ \circ }} \right)}}{{\cos \left( {{{15}^ \circ } + {{120}^ \circ }} \right)}} = \frac{a}{b} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\cos {{75}^ \circ }}}{{\cos {{135}^ \circ }}} = \frac{a}{b} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\sin {{15}^ \circ }}}{{ - \sin {{45}^ \circ }}} = \frac{a}{b} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{{a^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = \frac{{{{\sin }^2}{{15}^ \circ }}}{{\frac{1}{2}}} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{{a^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = 2{\sin ^2}{15^ \circ }........\left( {\text{i}} \right) \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 2A} \right)}}{b} = \frac{{\cos \left( {x + 3A} \right)}}{c} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{\cos \left( {{{15}^ \circ } + {{120}^ \circ }} \right)}}{{\cos \left( {{{15}^ \circ } + {{180}^ \circ }} \right)}} = \frac{b}{c} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{ - \sin {{45}^ \circ }}}{{ - \cos {{15}^ \circ }}} = \frac{b}{c} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{{c^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = \frac{{{{\cos }^2}{{15}^ \circ }}}{{\frac{1}{2}}} \cr & \Rightarrow \frac{{{c^2}}}{{{b^2}}} = 2{\cos ^2}{15^ \circ }........\left( {{\text{ii}}} \right) \cr & {\text{Now, }}{\left( {\frac{a}{b} + \frac{c}{b}} \right)^2} + {\left( {\frac{a}{b} - \frac{c}{b}} \right)^2} \cr & = 2\left[ {\frac{{{a^2}}}{{{b^2}}} + \frac{{{c^2}}}{{{b^2}}}} \right] \cr & = 2\left[ {2{{\sin }^2}{{15}^ \circ } + 2{{\cos }^2}{{15}^ \circ }} \right] \cr & = 4 \cr} $$