Constrained Triangle

Geometry Level 5

We have three parallel lines l , m l, m and n n and an equilateral triangle C D E CDE with its vertices on these lines as shown in figure.

The distance between the lines l l and m m is 5 and between m m and n n is 2.

The side length of triangle can be expressed as A B A \sqrt{B} , where A A and B B are positive integers with B B square-free. Find A + B A + B .


The answer is 15.

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4 solutions

Rishabh Jain
Jun 22, 2016

Let P C D = θ \angle PCD=\theta so that after some angle chasing we get D E Q = 60 θ \angle DEQ=60-\theta .

Since triangle is equilateral, C D = D E \implies CD=DE 5 sin θ = 2 sin ( 60 θ ) \implies \dfrac{5}{\sin \theta}=\dfrac{2}{\sin(60-\theta)} 5 ( 3 2 cos θ 1 2 sin θ ) = 2 sin θ \implies 5\left(\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}2\cos \theta-\dfrac{1}2\sin \theta\right)=2\sin \theta 9 sin θ = 5 3 cos θ \implies 9\sin \theta=5\sqrt 3\cos \theta tan θ = 5 3 9 sin θ = 5 2 13 \implies \tan \theta=\dfrac{5\sqrt 3}{9}\implies \sin \theta=\dfrac{5}{2\sqrt{13}}

Hence, C D = 5 sin θ = 2 13 CD=\dfrac{5}{\sin \theta}=\large 2\sqrt{13} .

2 + 13 = 15 \huge \therefore 2+13=\boxed{\color{#007fff}{15}}

I think there is something wrong with this question. The question said that the traingle is equilateral, which means all sides are equal in length. Also, it said the lines l,m and n are parallel. I think, based on the given information, the distances between all these lines should be the same. But in the question it confuses the reader by telling different distances between these lines. This question is confusing.

Karim Sharif - 4 years, 11 months ago

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the lines can have different distances, theres no reason why they cant

Matt Martin - 4 years, 11 months ago

Not true... Since distance between pair of these lines is not same as the sides of the triangle

Rishabh Jain - 4 years, 11 months ago

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Based on this statement "We have three parallel lines and and an equilateral triangle with its vertices on these lines as shown in fig ..." Could you Please let me know how the sides are equal and the lines are parallel and the distances are different? Please plot this with computer software and see if it is possible

Karim Sharif - 4 years, 11 months ago
Rushikesh Jogdand
Jun 22, 2016

Let the side length be a a .
Now draw altitudes A F , B E AF,BE and C E CE from F , E F, E and E E on l , m l,m and n n respectively.
So, A D = a 2 49 , B D = a 2 25 , C E = a 2 4 AD=\sqrt{a^{2}-49}, BD=\sqrt{a^{2}-25},CE=\sqrt{a^{2}-4}
But A B C F \square ABCF is a rectangle.
A D + B D = C F \therefore AD+BD=CF a 2 49 + a 2 25 = a 2 4 \therefore \sqrt{a^{2}-49}+\sqrt{a^{2}-25}=\sqrt{a^{2}-4} Squaring both sides and rearranging - a 2 70 = 2 ( a 2 25 ) ( a 2 49 ) a^2-70=2\sqrt{(a^2-25)(a^2-49)} Squaring both sides and rearranging - 3 a 4 = 156 a 2 3a^4=156a^2 a = 2 13 \boxed{a=2\sqrt{13}}



I did in a similiar way. But it seems a little complicated compared to the top solution.

Gerry Chen - 4 years, 11 months ago

Let CE and m intersect at Y,
EF be perpendicular to n (also m and l ) from E to meet l at F,
X the angle CEF,
and S be the sides.
So the angle DYC = 90 - X,
angle CDY=180 - (90 - X) - 60 = 30+X.
DC * SinCDY = 5, so S * Sin(30 +X) = 5.
So S * {Sin30 * CosX + Cos30 * SinX) = 5.
S * {1/2} * CosX * {1 + 3 \sqrt3 * TanX.} = 5 ...( * )
In right triangle CEF, S * CosX= 7. ....( * * )
{ * } divide by { * * } and simplifying, TanX= 3 7 . S = C F 2 + F E 2 = ( 7 T a n X ) 2 + 7 2 = 3 + 49 = 2 13 = A B . A + B = 2 + 13 = 15. \dfrac{\sqrt3}7.\\ \therefore\ S\ =\ \sqrt{CF^2+FE^2}= \sqrt{(7*TanX)^2+7^2}\\ =\sqrt{3+49}=2\sqrt{13}=A*\sqrt{B}.\\ \therefore\ \ A+B=2+13=\Large\ \ \ \ \color{#D61F06}{15}.

Anton Ni
Jul 1, 2016

Consider the circumcircle of C D E \triangle CDE . Let the other point of intersection between the circle and line m m be called P P . C P D = C E D = 6 0 \angle CPD=\angle CED=60^{\circ} , so C P = 5 sin 6 0 = 10 3 CP=\frac{5}{\sin 60^{\circ}}=\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}} . Similarly, D P E = D C E = 6 0 \angle DPE=\angle DCE=60^{\circ} , so C P = 2 sin 6 0 = 4 3 CP=\frac{2}{\sin 60^{\circ}}=\frac{4}{\sqrt{3}} . C P E = 12 0 \angle CPE=120^{\circ} . By law of cosines on A D C ADC , s 2 = C E 2 = C P 2 + E P 2 + C P E P = 100 3 + 16 3 + 40 3 = 52 s^2=CE^2=CP^2+EP^2+CP\cdot EP=\frac{100}{3}+\frac{16}{3}+\frac{40}{3}=52 , so s = 2 13 s=2\sqrt{13} , and our answer is 15 \fbox{15} .

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