Square Trapped in Pentagon

Geometry Level 5

The square PQRS \color{#3D99F6}{\text{PQRS}} is inscribed in the regular pentagon ABCDE \color{#D61F06}{\text{ABCDE}} as shown.

If the side length of the pentagon is a \,a and the side length of the square is b \,b , then the ratio of a b \;\dfrac{a}{b} can be expressed as Ψ sin Θ + tan Φ \,\Psi\sin\Theta+\tan\Phi , where Θ \Theta and Φ \Phi are in degrees. Find the value of Ψ + Θ + Φ \;\Psi+\Theta+\Phi .


The answer is 38.

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1 solution

Tunk-Fey Ariawan
Mar 22, 2014

See the picture below.

Square Trapped in Pentagon Square Trapped in Pentagon

Apply Sine rule in Δ ASP \Delta\text{ASP} and Δ PBQ \Delta\text{PBQ} .

Δ ASP \bullet\;\;\Delta\text{ASP}

y sin 3 6 = b sin 10 8 y = sin 3 6 sin 10 8 b \begin{aligned} \frac{y}{\sin 36^\circ}&=\frac{b}{\sin 108^\circ}\\ y&=\frac{\sin 36^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b \end{aligned}

Δ PBQ \bullet\;\;\Delta\text{PBQ}

a y sin 1 8 = b sin 10 8 a y = sin 1 8 sin 10 8 b a sin 3 6 sin 10 8 b = sin 1 8 sin 10 8 b a = sin 3 6 sin 10 8 b + sin 1 8 sin 10 8 b a b = sin 3 6 + sin 1 8 sin 10 8 = 2 sin 1 8 cos 1 8 + sin 1 8 sin ( 9 0 + 1 8 ) = 2 sin 1 8 cos 1 8 + sin 1 8 cos 1 8 = 2 sin 1 8 + tan 1 8 . \begin{aligned} \frac{a-y}{\sin 18^\circ}&=\frac{b}{\sin 108^\circ}\\ a-y&=\frac{\sin 18^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b\\ a-\frac{\sin 36^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b&=\frac{\sin 18^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b\\ a&=\frac{\sin 36^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b+\frac{\sin 18^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}b\\ \frac{a}{b}&=\frac{\sin 36^\circ+\sin 18^\circ}{\sin 108^\circ}\\ &=\frac{2\sin 18^\circ\cos 18^\circ+\sin 18^\circ}{\sin (90^\circ+18^\circ)}\\ &=\frac{2\sin 18^\circ\cos 18^\circ+\sin 18^\circ}{\cos 18^\circ}\\ &=2\sin 18^\circ+\tan 18^\circ. \end{aligned} Thus, Ψ + Θ + Φ = 2 + 18 + 18 = 38 \Psi+\Theta+\Phi=2+18+18=\boxed{38} .


# Q . E . D . # \text{\# }\mathbb{Q.E.D.}\text{ \#}

Actually i encountered with the same figure to the similar question which was put up by Matt Enlow(which i now know was wrong) and did in the similar way as you did

Malay Pandey - 7 years, 2 months ago

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I also did in similar manner but I was really lucky my answer correct. I didn't know why!?

In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that problem since it's asked the maximum area.

Tunk-Fey Ariawan - 7 years, 2 months ago

You mean 38, not 36.

Finn Hulse - 7 years, 2 months ago

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Ahh!? Thanks for noticing that Finn.

Tunk-Fey Ariawan - 7 years, 2 months ago

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:D

Finn Hulse - 7 years, 2 months ago

Say, would you mind checking out my most recent discussion? If you commented, I'd be really happy. The discussion is about how people have gotten good at math, like a "My Mathematical Story" kind of thing.

Finn Hulse - 7 years, 2 months ago

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@Finn Hulse Done! :)

Tunk-Fey Ariawan - 7 years, 2 months ago

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