Version 1.1

Geometry Level 3

D A = A B = B C A C = D B = D C \begin{aligned} DA=AB = BC &\\ AC =DB = DC& \end{aligned}

What is the angle A D C \angle ADC in degrees?


The answer is 72.

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2 solutions

Marta Reece
Dec 17, 2017

Quick Solution

Points D A B C DABC are vertices of a regular pentagon.

A B C = 10 8 \angle ABC=108^\circ .

A D C = 18 0 A B C = 7 2 \angle ADC=180^\circ-\angle ABC=\boxed{72^\circ}


The long version of the solution

Let's set A D C = a \angle ADC=a

In A D C \triangle ADC we have D C = A C D A C = A D C = a DC=AC\implies \angle DAC=\angle ADC=a

Quadrilateral A B C D ABCD is cyclic (from symmetry a perpendicular bisector of B C BC intersects perpendicular bisector of A D AD on the axis of symmetry, which is also the perpendicular bisector of A B AB ).

Therefore A B C = 18 0 A D C = 18 0 a \angle ABC=180^\circ-\angle ADC=180^\circ-a

In A B C \triangle ABC we have A B = B C B A C = B C A = 1 2 ( 18 0 A B C ) = 1 2 ( 18 0 ( 18 0 a ) ) = a 2 AB=BC\implies \angle BAC=\angle BCA=\frac12(180^\circ-\angle ABC)=\frac12(180^\circ-(180^\circ-a))=\frac a2

D A B = D A C + B A C = a + a 2 = 3 a 2 \angle DAB=\angle DAC+\angle BAC=a+\frac a2=\frac {3a}2

D A B = A B C = 18 0 a \angle DAB=\angle ABC=180^\circ-a

Combining the two lines above: 3 a 2 = 18 0 a \frac{3a}2=180^\circ-a

Solution of this equation is a = 7 2 a=\boxed{72^\circ}

Points D A B C DABC are vertices of a regular pentagon.

Why must this be true?

Pi Han Goh - 3 years, 5 months ago

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I have added the proof to my solution as a second version of same.

Marta Reece - 3 years, 5 months ago

I agree with you, Marta, the problem is reduced to draw a regular pentagon of diagonal DB.

I might not be aware at first, but just a week ago I taught to my grandchildren how to do it, so it flash back to me .

I congratulate you for your geometrical puzzles so challenging and brain teaser... keep going

Thank you. However, you may want to put this as a comment rather than a solution, at least next time.

Marta Reece - 3 years, 5 months ago

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