Spherical Law of Cosines/Proof 2

Proof

 * Spherical-Cosine-Formula-2.png

Let $A$, $B$ and $C$ be the vertices of a spherical triangle on the surface of a sphere $S$.

By definition of a spherical triangle, $AB$, $BC$ and $AC$ are arcs of great circles on $S$.

By definition of a great circle, the center of each of these great circles is $O$.

Let $O$ be joined to each of $A$, $B$ and $C$.

Let $P$ be an arbitrary point on $OC$.

Construct $PQ$ perpendicular to $OA$ meeting $OA$ at $Q$.

Construct $PR$ perpendicular to $OB$ meeting $OB$ at $R$.

In the plane $OAB$:
 * construct $QS$ perpendicular to $OA$
 * construct $RS$ perpendicular to $OB$

where $S$ is the point where $QS$ and $RS$ intersect.

Let $OS$ and $PS$ be joined.

Let tangents be constructed at $A$ to the arcs of the great circles $AC$ and $AB$.

These tangents contain the spherical angle $A$.

But by construction, $QS$ and $QP$ are parallel to these tangents.

Hence $\angle PQS = \sphericalangle A$.

Similarly, $\angle PRS = \sphericalangle B$.

Also we have:

It is to be proved that $PS$ is perpendicular to the plane $AOB$.

By construction, $OQ$ is perpendicular to both $PQ$ and $QS$.

Thus $OQ$ is perpendicular to the plane $PQS$.

Similarly, $OR$ is perpendicular to the plane $PRS$.

Thus $PS$ is perpendicular to both $OQ$ and $OR$.

Thus $PS$ is perpendicular to every line in the plane of $OQ$ and $OR$.

That is, $PS$ is perpendicular to the plane $OAB$.

In particular, $PS$ is perpendicular to $OS$, $SQ$ and $SR$

It follows that $\triangle PQS$ and $\triangle PRS$ are right triangles.

From the right triangles $\triangle OQP$ and $\triangle ORP$, we have:

Let us denote the angle $\angle SOQ$ by $x$.

Then:
 * $\angle ROS = c - x$

We have that:

But we also have:

Hence the result.