Maths Olympiad Prep

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Geometry Difficulty 4.7 AIME Find the answer

8.40. Construct triangle ABCA B C given the median mcm_{c} and the angle bisector lcl_{c}, if C=90\angle C=90^{\circ}.

Solution

8.40. Let the extension of the bisector CDC D intersect the circumcircle of triangle ABCA B C (with right angle CC) at point PP, PQP Q be the diameter of the circumcircle, and OO be its center. Then PD:PO=PQ:PCP D: P O=P Q: P C, i.e., PDPC=2R2=mc2P D \cdot P C=2 R^{2}=m_{c}^{2}. Therefore, by drawing a tangent of length 2mc\sqrt{2} m_{c} to the circle with diameter CDC D, it is easy to construct a segment of length PCP C. Now, in triangle OPCO P C, the lengths of all sides are known.

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