P is a point inside an equilateral triangle △ A B C such that A P 2 = B P 2 + C P 2 . What is the measure of ∠ B P C in degrees?
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Yes, a nice beautifull method. +1)
Due to symmetry, the extension of A P will meet B C at a right angle, B P = C P and ∠ B A P = ∠ C A P = 3 0 ∘ .
Let B P = C P = a . Since A P 2 = B P 2 + C P 2 = 2 a 2 ⇒ A P = 2 a
Let ∠ A B P = θ . By Sine Rule, we have: 2 sin θ = a sin 3 0 ∘ = 2 a 1 ⇒ sin θ = 2 1 ⇒ θ = 4 5 ∘ .
Therefore, ∠ P B C = ∠ P C B = 6 0 ∘ − 4 5 ∘ = 1 5 ∘ and ∠ B P C = 1 8 0 ∘ − 2 × 1 5 ∘ = 1 5 0 ∘
You cannot assume that it is symmetrical, but it is a good way to obtain the answer quickly.
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Come to think of it my solution really doesn't involve symmetry. Sine Rule works for all triangles. The angles are equal because △ A B C is equilateral and △ B P C is isosceles.
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I didn't try to understand your symmetry argument, but if I'm not wrong the locus of P is a circle. It passes through B and C, and its center is reflection of A with BC as mirror.
Very nice and simple solution!
If the answer is an invariant for any point P satisfying the conditions, it should be true also when PB=PC. Hence the above proof. But I think such proofs are not valid.
A pure logic proof:
If AP=BP=CP, angle BPC=120.
Legs PB and PC are shorter than PA.
So angle BPC>120.
But from the given selection, only 150>120.
So angle BPC=150.
Wrong. 135° can also be a answer by that inference.
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Rotate the entire figure by 60° around A anticlockwise. We obtain another two points. Let P' be the rotation of P by 60° and C' the rotation of C by 60°.
Now we know that A P = A P ′ since it is just a rotation, and ∠ P A P ′ = 6 0 ° . Thus P P ′ = A P . But P P ′ 2 = A P 2 = B P 2 + C P 2 = C P 2 + C P ′ 2 hence △ P P ′ C is a right-angled triangle. Thus ∠ P C P ′ = ∠ A C P + ∠ A C P ′ = ∠ A C P + ∠ A B P = 9 0 ° . Hence ∠ P B C + ∠ P C B = 1 8 0 ° − 9 0 ° − 6 0 ° = 3 0 ° . and the result follows.