The edge DA of a pyramid ABCD is perpendicular to its base ABC, (ABD)⊥(BCD), ∠BDC=45∘ and DB=2. Find ∠ADB if the sum of the squares of lateral faces of the pyramid equals 8.
Solution
Since (ABD)⊥(ABC),(BCD), then (ABC)⊥BC and hence ∠ABC=∠DBC=90∘. Since ∠BDC=45∘, then BC=BD=2. Let ∠ADB=α. Then AB=2sinα, AD=2cosα and AC=2sin2α+1. So SABD=2AB⋅AD=2sinα⋅cosα, SACD=2AC⋅AD=2cosα1+sin2α, SBCD=2BC⋅BD=2. It follows by the condition of the problem that 8=4(sin2αcos2α+cos2α(1+sin2α)+1)=4(sin2α−2sin4α+2), i.e. sinα=22. Thus ∠ADB=45∘.
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Source: MathNet,
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