A triangle ABC has an obtuse angle at B. The perpendicular at B to AB meets AC at D, and ∣CD∣=∣AB∣. Prove that ∣AD∣2=∣AB∣⋅∣BC∣ if and only if ∠CBD=30∘.
Solution
Let ∣BC∣=a, ∣AD∣=b, ∣AB∣=∣CD∣=c. We are given b2=ac and need to prove ∠CBD=30∘. 2aca2+c2−(b+c)2=cos(90∘+∠CBD)=−sin(∠CBD). Hence sin(∠BCD)=2acb2+2bc−a2. Also sin(∠CBD)=acsin(∠BDC)=acsin(∠BDA)=ac⋅bc. Hence 2acb2+2bc−a2=abc2 Thus b3+2b2c−a2b−2c3=0. Using b2=ac we obtain (ab−2c2)(c−a)=0. If a=c then ∣AC∣=b+c>c+c which contradicts the triangle inequality. Hence ab=2c2 and from previous calculations sin(∠CBD)=abc2=21. Thus ∠CBD=30∘. Conversely, sin(∠CBD)=2acb2+2bc−a2=21 implies b2+2bc−a2−ac=0. Also sin(∠CBD)=abc2=21 implies ab=2c2. Substituting for a we obtain b2+2bc−b24c4−b2c3=0. Factorising we obtain (b3−2c3)(b+2c)=0. As b+2c>0, b3=2c3=2abc. Hence b2=ac.
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