Let Γ denote the circumcircle of triangle ABC. Point D is on AB such that CD bisects ∠ACB. Points P and Q are on Γ such that PQ passes through D and is perpendicular to CD. Compute PQ, given that BC=20,CA=80,AB=65.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
Suppose that P lies between A and B and Q lies between A and C, and let line PQ intersect lines AC and BC at E and F respectively. As usual, we write a,b,c for the lengths of BC,CA,AB. By the angle bisector theorem, AD/DB=AC/CB so that AD=a+bbc and BD=a+bac. Now by Stewart's theorem, c⋅CD2+(a+bac)(a+bbc)c=a+ba2bc+a+bab2c from which CD2=(a+b)2ab((a+b)2−c2). Now observe that triangles CDE and CDF are congruent, so ED=DF. By Menelaus' theorem, AECADFEDBCFB=1 so that BCCA=FBAE. Since CF=CE while b>a, it follows that AE=a+bb(b−a) so that EC=a+b2ab. Finally, DE=CE2−CD2=a+bab(c2−(a−b)2). Plugging in a=20,b=80,c=65, we see that AE=48,EC=32,DE=10 as well as AD=52,BD=13. Now let PD=x,QE=y. By power of a point about D and E, we have x(y+10)=676 and y(x+10)=1536. Subtracting one from the other, we see that y=x+86. Therefore, x2+96x−676=0, from which x=−48+2745. Finally, PQ=x+y+10=4745.
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