Problem:
Given an isosceles triangle, find the locus of the point inside the triangle such that the distance from to the base equals the geometric mean of the distances to the sides.
Solution
Solution:
Let the triangle be , with . Take the circle through and which has and as tangents. The required locus is the arc .
Suppose lies on the arc. Let the perpendiculars from meet in , in and in . Join and . The triangles and are similar ( and are both , and because is tangent to the circle). Hence . Similarly, triangles and are similar and hence . Multiplying gives the required result .
If is inside the circle and not on it, take as the intersection of the line and the arc. We have , but and , hence . Similarly, if is outside the circle and not on it, then .
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