Have a pure geometric solution?

Geometry Level 5

In the triangle A B C ABC , the altitude, angle bisector and the median from C C divide C \angle C in four equal angles. Find the measure of the smallest angle of A B C \triangle ABC in degrees.


The answer is 22.5.

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2 solutions

Manuel Kahayon
Sep 11, 2016

Use the fact that the orthocenter and circumcenter are isogonal conjugates. This implies that the median of the triangle passes through the circumcenter of the triangle. Now, if the circumcenter does not lie on A B AB then this implies that either the triangle is isosceles (which is impossible since isosceles triangles have same median and angle bisector and altitude) or the triangle is degenerate. Since none of these cases can happen this must mean that the circumcenter is on A B AB which implies A B C ABC is a right triangle. Let the foot of the altitude from C C be D D . Similarities tell us that D C B = C A B = 9 0 4 = 22. 5 \angle DCB = \angle CAB = \frac{90 ^ \circ}{4} = 22.5 ^ \circ . Therefore, our answer is 22. 5 \boxed{22.5 ^ \circ} .

Priyanshu Mishra
Sep 10, 2016

Here we go:

Let D , E , F D, E, F respectively be foot of altitude, foot of angle bisector, foot of median - all from C C to A B AB .

Drop a perpendicular from E E to B C BC in the point M M and let N N be the intersection of M D , A C MD, AC .

Then C D E M CDEM is cyclic. Hence,

C M D = C E D = C A D \angle CMD = \angle CED = \angle CAD .

It follows that triangle C M N C A B \triangle CMN \approx \triangle CAB .

This implies that C D CD is the median from C C in triangle C M N CMN , hence A M E N AMEN is a parallelogram.

Finally, A N M E AN \parallel ME and since M E B C ME \bot BC , it follows that A C B C AC \bot BC .

Hence, smallest angle is B = 22.5 0 \angle B = {22.5}^0 .

Suggestion : You should write one assumption: The angle has to be given in degrees. I almost fail his question due to this assumption.

Guillermo Templado - 4 years, 9 months ago

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Thanks. I've updated the problem statement to reflect this. Those who previously answered 22.5 ÷ 180 π 0.3927 22.5 \div \frac{180}{\pi} \approx 0.3927 has been marked correct.

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Brilliant Mathematics Staff - 4 years, 9 months ago

Oh really sorry. I was unknown about angle unit.

I will remember this thing.

Priyanshu Mishra - 4 years, 9 months ago

I solved it using trigonometry. From where did you get this solution?

Kushagra Sahni - 4 years, 9 months ago

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That's why i posted this solution. Everyone can solve it with trigonometry.

But the motto was to give "A pure geometric solution."

I designed it myself. Its my solution only.

Priyanshu Mishra - 4 years, 9 months ago

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