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Divide Into Four (Posted on 2010-12-02) Difficulty: 3 of 5
In ΔABC the altitude, angle bisector, and median from C divide ∠C into four equal angles.

What is the ratio of sides a and b (shorter:longer)?

  Submitted by Bractals    
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Solution: (Hide)
Let D, E, and F be the intersections with side AB
of the altitude, bisector, and median respectively.
The order of the points being A, D, E, F, and B.

Let x = ∠ACD = ∠DCE = ∠ECF = ∠FCB.

Using the law of sines on triangles ACF and FCB we get
    sin(90-x)     sin(∠CAF)     |CF|
   ----------- = ----------- = ------
     sin(3x)      sin(∠ACF)     |AF|

                  |CF|     sin(∠CBF)    sin(90-3x)
               = ------ = ----------- = ------------
                  |FB|     sin(∠FCB)      sin(x)

               or

  sin(x)cos(x) = sin(3x)cos(3x)

               or

       sin(2x) = sin(6x)
Either 2x = 6x or 2x + 6x = 180°.

Obviously, 4x = 90° and x = 22.5°. Therefore,
    |AC|
   ------ = tan(∠ABC) 
    |BC|

          = tan(22.5°) = √2 - 1

          ~= 0.414214

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)
  Subject Author Date
re: Another ApproachBractals2010-12-03 17:18:52
SolutionAnother ApproachHarry2010-12-03 13:43:43
SolutionFull solutionJer2010-12-02 15:34:48
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