Saturday, July 22, 2023

Geometry Problem 1548: Exploring Segment DE Length in Triangle ABC with a 45-Degree Angle and Intersecting Altitudes

Geometry Problem 1548. Post your solution in the comment box below.
Level: Mathematics Education, K-12 School, Honors Geometry, College.

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Geometry Problem 1548: Exploring Segment DE Length in Triangle ABC with a 45-Degree Angle and Intersecting Altitudes

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6 comments:

  1. Let BF = p so that BE = EF = p/V2
    Let CF = q so that CD = q/V2

    Triangles AGE & BCD are similar, hence
    36/AE = BD/a so 36/(b/V2) = c/V2/(a) from which
    bc = 72a..............(1)

    Triangles EFH & BCD are similar. hence
    6V2/p = q/V2/a so
    pq = 12a.......(2)

    Triangles AED & ABC are similar, hence
    DE = a/V2.......(3)

    Now apply Ptolemy's Theorem to cyclic quadrilateral BCDE
    a.DE + (p/V2)(q/V2) = (b/V2).(c/V2) and so
    a^2/V2 + pq/2 = bc/2 from which
    a^2/V2 + 6a = 36a where we have substituted from (1) & (2)

    Therefore from (3) DE = a/V2 = 30

    Sumith Peiris
    Moratuwa
    Sri Lanka

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    Replies
    1. Much simpler solution

      Draw EPQ // BD, P on AG & Q on AC

      BCDE is concyclic hence < AEG = C and < EAP = 90 - C = < CBD = < DEC
      Consider Triangles AEP & CED

      *AE = CE
      *< EAP = < DEC = 90 - C
      *< AEP = < < DCE = 45

      So Triangles AEP & CED are congruent ASA

      Hence AP = DE ......(1) and
      EP = DC = FD since Tr. CDF is right isosceles

      So Triangles EPG & DFH are congruent ASA
      Hence PG = FH = 6 .....(2)

      From (1) & (2), DE = AP = AG - PG = 36 - 6
      DE = 30

      Sumith Peiris
      Moratuwa
      Sri Lanka

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  3. Construct the parallelogram DFEK, K is on AG an it is the orthocenter of tr. ADE, thus AK=AG-GK=AG-HF=30, but if <A=45, DE=AK, done.

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