Example 1. An isosceles trapezoid with bases and height
(1) Find a point on the axis of symmetry such that the angles subtended by the non-parallel sides at are right angles.
(2) Find the distances from point to the two bases.
Solution
Let the isosceles trapezoid have , and the axis of symmetry intersects the two bases at . Construct a semicircle (inward) with as the diameter, intersecting at (if tangent, the two points coincide; if separated, there is no solution), which is the desired result. Let , then , so . Also, , then are the two roots of the equation .
When , there are solutions . Similarly consider .
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