Friday, September 2, 2022

Geometry Problem 1495: Circle, Parallel Chords, 30 Degree Angle, Radius Squared

Geometry Problem 1495. Post your solution in the comment box below.
Level: Mathematics Education, K-12 School, Honors Geometry, College.

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Geometry Problem 1495: Circle, Parallel Chords, 30 Degree Angle, Radius Squared

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6 comments:

  1. Trigonometry Solution

    If O is the centre, Tr.s AOC, COE, DOF, BOD are all equilateral

    So if < AOB = 2@ then < EOF = 120-2@

    AB = 2r.sin@
    CD = 2r.sin(60+@) = r.(sqrt3.cos@ + sin@)
    EF = 2r.sin (60-@) = r.(sqrt3.cos@ - sin@)

    Squaring and adding

    AB^2 + CD^2 + EF^2
    = r^2.( 4sin^2 @ + sin^2 @+ 3cos^2 @ + 2sqrt3.cos@sin@
    + sin^2 @ + 3cos^2 @ - 2sqrt3.cos@sin@)
    = r^2.(6sin^2 @ + 6 cos^2 @)
    = 6r^2

    Sumith Peiris
    Moratuwa
    Sri Lanka

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geometry Solution using Pythagoras
      Let AB = a, CD = b and EF = c. Let AH be the height of trapezoid ABCD, H on CD
      Now AC = CE = BD = DF = r (they all subtend 60 degrees at the centre)

      So CH = (b-a)/2, HD = (a+b)/2 and hence AH = (a+b)/(2sqrt.3)

      Using Pythagoras for Tr. ACH, r^2 = (b-a)^2 /4 + (a+b)^2 /12,
      from which 3r^2 = a^2 + b^2 - ab...........(1)

      Similarly we can prove that
      3r^2 = b^2 + c^2 - bc...............................(2)

      (1) - (2) gives b = a + c ........(3) upon simplification assuming a not = to c
      (1) + (2) gives 6r^2 = a^2 + b^2 + c^2 + (b^2 - ab - bc) and from (3)
      the expression in the parenthesis = 0

      Therefore a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = 6r^2

      Sumith Peiris
      Moratuwa
      Sri Lanka

      Delete
  2. I think this proof only goes in the special case when CD passes through O. Otherwise AD and DE are not equidistant and hence AC is not CE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not assumed that CD passes through O. Do read my proof carefully.

      Sumith Peiris

      Delete
  3. Geometry solution: It is not difficult to prove CD=EF+AB (1). Join B to F, from ABFE (Pt Theorem) we get CD²=3R² + AB . EF (2) From (1) and (2) we get the result

    ReplyDelete