Problem - 2994
Let $ABCD$ be inscribed in a circle. If $AB=a, BC=b, CD=c,$ and $DA=d$, show that $$\cos{B} = \frac{a^2 + b^2 -c^2 - d^2}{2(ab+cd)}$$
Let $AC=m$. Then in $\triangle{ABC}$, by the law of cosine, we have $$\cos{B}=\frac{a^2+b^2-m^2}{2ab}$$
And in $\triangle{ACD}$, we have $$\cos{D}=\frac{c^2+d^2-m^2}{2cd}$$
Because $ABCD$ is an inscribed quadrilateral, we have $B+D=\pi \implies \cos{B} = -\cos{D}$. It follows that $$\frac{a^2+b^2-m^2}{2ab} =\frac{m^2-c^2-d^2}{2cd} =\cos{B} = \frac{a^2 + b^2 -c^2 - d^2}{2(ab+cd)} $$
Therefore the claim hold.
Note: the last step utilizes the fact that $$\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}\implies\frac{a}{b}=\frac{c}{d}=\frac{a+c}{b+d}$$