In the triangle ABC we have ∣AB∣=1 and ∠ABC=120∘. The perpendicular line to AB at B meets AC at D such that ∣DC∣=1. Find the length of AD.
Solution
Let x=∣AD∣ and y=∣BC∣. From △ADB we obtain sin(∠ADB)=x1 and from △BDC we get ysin(∠BDC)=1sin(30∘)=21. Since sin(∠ADB)=sin(∠BDC), this gives x1=2y, hence y=x2.
The cosine theorem for △ABC gives −21=cos(∠ABC)=2y1+y2−(1+x)2=x41+(x2)2−(1+x)2 Simplifying, we obtain x4+2x3−2x−4=0. Rewriting this polynomial as x(x3−2)+2(x3−2)=(x3−2)(x+2), we see that x=2.
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Source: MathNet,
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