In isosceles △ABC,AB=AC and P is a point on side BC. If ∠BAP=2∠CAP,BP=3, and CP=1, compute AP.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Let ∠CAP=α, By the Law of Sines, sin2α3=sinα1 which rearranges to cosα=23⇒α=6π. This implies that ∠BAC=2π. By the Pythagorean Theorem, 2AB2=(3+1)2, so AB2=2+3. Applying Stewart's Theorem, it follows that AP2=3+1(3+1)(2+3)−3⇒AP=2.
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