Question:

Evaluate \[ \cos\frac{\pi}{7}\cos\frac{2\pi}{7}\cos\frac{3\pi}{7} \cos\frac{4\pi}{7}\cos\frac{5\pi}{7}\cos\frac{6\pi}{7}. \]

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Remember the standard identity \[ \cos\frac{\pi}{7} \cos\frac{2\pi}{7} \cos\frac{3\pi}{7} = \frac18. \] For products involving all six cosine terms, pair them using \[ \cos(\pi-\theta)=-\cos\theta \] to reduce the expression quickly.
Updated On: Jul 9, 2026
  • \(\dfrac{1}{8}\)
  • \(-\dfrac{1}{16}\)
  • \(\dfrac{1}{32}\)
  • \(-\dfrac{1}{64}\) \bigskip
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Use the identity \[ \cos(\pi-\theta)=-\cos\theta. \] This allows us to pair terms and reduce the product to a known standard result: \[ \cos\frac{\pi}{7}\cos\frac{2\pi}{7}\cos\frac{3\pi}{7} =\frac{1}{8}. \]

Step 1:
Pair the terms using \(\cos(\pi-\theta)=-\cos\theta\). Observe that \[ \cos\frac{4\pi}{7} = -\cos\frac{3\pi}{7}, \] \[ \cos\frac{5\pi}{7} = -\cos\frac{2\pi}{7}, \] \[ \cos\frac{6\pi}{7} = -\cos\frac{\pi}{7}. \] Therefore, \[ P= \cos\frac{\pi}{7}\cos\frac{2\pi}{7}\cos\frac{3\pi}{7} \cos\frac{4\pi}{7}\cos\frac{5\pi}{7}\cos\frac{6\pi}{7} \] \[ = -\left( \cos\frac{\pi}{7} \cos\frac{2\pi}{7} \cos\frac{3\pi}{7} \right)^2. \]

Step 2:
Use the standard trigonometric product. The well-known identity is \[ \cos\frac{\pi}{7} \cos\frac{2\pi}{7} \cos\frac{3\pi}{7} = \frac{1}{8}. \] Substituting, \[ P = -\left(\frac18\right)^2. \] \[ P = -\frac{1}{64}. \]

Step 3:
Write the final answer. \[ \boxed{-\frac{1}{64}} \]
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