Let D be the midpoint of the segment AB and denote the centre of gravity of the triangle ABC by T. Find the lengths of the sides given that ∣AD∣=3, ∣DT∣=5 and ∣TA∣=4.
Solution
Since D is the midpoint of AB and ∣AD∣=3, we have ∣AB∣=6. Let E be the midpoint of BC and let F be the midpoint of AC. The sides of the triangle ADT satisfy Pythagoras's theorem, so ADT is a right triangle. The ratio in which the centre of gravity divides the median is 2:1 and since ∣AT∣=4 we have ∣AE∣=6. Using Pythagoras's theorem for the triangle ABE we can find ∣BE∣=∣AB∣2+∣AE∣2=36+36=62. This implies ∣BC∣=2∣BE∣=122. Since E and F are the midpoints of BC and AC, the segment EF is parallel to AB.
Since EA is perpendicular to AB, EA is also perpendicular to EF. Thus, AEF is a right triangle. We have already shown that ∣AE∣=6, and we have ∣EF∣=2∣AB∣=3. We use Pythagoras's theorem once more to find ∣FA∣=∣EF∣2+∣AE∣2=9+36=35. The length of the side AC is ∣AC∣=2∣AF∣=65.
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