Triangle problem

In the triangle ABC, find x. (using elementary geometry only). Note: The triangle is not drawn to scale. If you want you can construct some more lines.

Note by Vasavi GS
8 years, 2 months ago

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17 votes

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Comments

A complete discussion of this well-known problem can be found here, so I find it unnecessary to furnish a detailed solution: http://www.cut-the-knot.org/triangle/80-80-20/index.shtml

hero p. - 8 years, 2 months ago

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I get two down votes for linking to a complete and correct solution that satisfies the criterion that nothing more than elementary geometry should be used, while several others post incorrect answers with no explanation whatsoever? Are others really so lazy that they cannot be bothered to follow a link? Fine. Here is one method of solution, using the same notation as in the original post:

First, locate point F F on EB EB such that FAB=50 \angle FAB = 50^\circ . Then we first show that FDB=30 \angle FDB = 30^\circ . To see this, locate G G on EB EB such that draw DGAB DG || AB , and it easily follows that the intersection of GA GA and DB DB at P P forms two equilateral triangles DGPABP \triangle DGP \sim \triangle ABP . But ABF \triangle ABF is isosceles with AB=BF AB = BF , hence PBF \triangle PBF is also isosceles with BP=BF BP = BF . Thus BPF=BFP=80 \angle BPF = \angle BFP = 80^\circ , and since APG APG is collinear, GPF=1808060=40 \angle GPF = 180^\circ - 80^\circ - 60^\circ = 40^\circ . But PGF=180GABCBA=40 \angle PGF = 180^\circ - \angle GAB - \angle CBA = 40^\circ , so GPF \triangle GPF is also isosceles. Therefore, DF DF bisects GDB=60 \angle GDB = 60^\circ , which proves the claim that FDB=30 \angle FDB = 30^\circ .

Next, we use this fact to prove the desired result. Note BDFAEF \triangle BDF \sim \triangle AEF , because AEF=1807080=30=BDF \angle AEF = 180^\circ - 70^\circ - 80^\circ = 30^\circ = \angle BDF , and FAB=50 \angle FAB = 50^\circ implies EAF=7050=20=DBF \angle EAF = 70^\circ - 50^\circ = 20^\circ = \angle DBF . So DF/EF=BF/AF DF/EF = BF/AF . Since DFE=DBF+FDB=30+20=50 \angle DFE = \angle DBF + \angle FDB = 30^\circ + 20^\circ = 50^\circ , it follows that ABFFDE \triangle ABF \sim \triangle FDE are isosceles, hence AED=FEDFEA=5030=20 \angle AED = \angle FED - \angle FEA = 50^\circ - 30^\circ = 20^\circ .

This is exactly the same solution as in the link I provided, but apparently was not good enough for a few people. All of it is elementary geometry.

hero p. - 8 years, 2 months ago

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Buddy please give this solution to me in a simple way so that figure can be understood and a 9 OR 10 class student can understand this......as it's> too comlicated

Anmol Mishra - 8 years, 2 months ago

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@Anmol Mishra The proof is beautiful. Draw it out and take your time to break down every individual line - you will learn a lot from doing this!

Gabriel Wong - 8 years, 2 months ago

Let the intersection of AE and BD be point X. Now use sin rule all over the place:

CE/AB =(CE/AC) (AC/AB) = (sin10/sin30) (sin80/sin20) which easily simplifies to 1. Thus CE = AB

AB/BX = sin50/sin70 = CE/BX

DB/AB = sin80/sin40

EB/AB = sin70/sin30

DC/EB = DB/EB = [(sin80)(sin30)]/ [(sin 40)(sin70)] = cos40/sin/70 = sin50/sin70 = CE/BX

Because angle DCE and angle EBX are 20, the triangles DCE and EBX are similar. Angle DEA = 20 quickly follows from some angle chase

Gabriel Wong - 8 years, 2 months ago

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Its correct.. But you are not supposed to use trigonometry... Solve it by using basic triangle properties..

Vasavi GS - 8 years, 2 months ago

I had solved this problem some years ago. It had incited a lot of interest in me and was one of the main reasons of my subsequent interest in Olympiad Mathematics.

Sambit Senapati - 8 years, 2 months ago

20

Ngô Ngọc Mai Thy - 8 years, 2 months ago

i don't know how but when i tried to put any number like 50,10.40.20 it fits !!!

Omar Ali - 8 years, 2 months ago

In triangle ABE, angle AEB = 10 degrees. But angle DAE = 10 degrees also. So, the lines AC and BC must be parallel. Thus, there must be a discrepancy in the question.

Aasif Khan - 8 years, 2 months ago

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How did you come to the conclusion that AEB=10 \angle AEB = 10^\circ ? In ABE \triangle ABE , we have EAB=70 \angle EAB = 70^\circ , ABE=60+20=80 \angle ABE = 60^\circ + 20^\circ = 80^\circ , and hence AEB=1807080=30 \angle AEB = 180^\circ - 70^\circ - 80^\circ = 30^\circ .

hero p. - 8 years, 2 months ago

its ans is 60

Varun Narayan - 8 years, 2 months ago

40????????????

Amit Dogra - 8 years, 2 months ago

Is it 40?

Jordi Bosch - 8 years, 2 months ago

x=10

Giovanni Mounir - 8 years, 2 months ago

10

Aman Jain - 8 years, 2 months ago

10

Priyansh Daushalya - 8 years, 2 months ago
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