Problem:
In the acute-angled triangle , is the longest altitude ( lies on ), is the midpoint of , and is an angle bisector (with on ).
a. If , prove that the angle .
b. If , prove that is equilateral.
Problem:
In the acute-angled triangle , is the longest altitude ( lies on ), is the midpoint of , and is an angle bisector (with on ).
a. If , prove that the angle .
b. If , prove that is equilateral.
Solution:
As usual let , , be the lengths of , , respectively and let , , denote the angles , , respectively. We use trigonometry and try to express the quantities of interest in terms of , and .
a.
Since is the longest altitude, must be the shortest side (use area side altitude). So , and . Using the formula , we deduce that . Hence . After a little manipulation this gives: or . But we are given that , so . But the sine formula gives , so . The triangle is acute-angled, hence .
b.
The angle bisector theorem gives , hence , so . Hence, using the sine formula, . So , using the sine formula again. But we are given that , so . But is the shortest side, so and hence . The triangle is acute-angled, so , and . is the shortest side, so is the smallest angle and hence . Also since , . But the angles sum to , so they must all be and hence the triangle is equilateral.