Let ABC be an acute triangle with A-excircle Γ. Let the line through A perpendicular to BC intersect BC at D and intersect Γ at E and F. Suppose that AD=DE=EF. If the maximum value of sinB can be expressed as ca+b for positive integers a,b, and c, compute the minimum possible value of a+b+c.
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
First note that we can assume AB<AC. Suppose Γ is tangent to BC at T. Let AD=DE=EF=x. Then, by Power of a Point, we have DT2=DE⋅DF=x⋅2x=2x2⟹DT=x2. Note that CT=s−b, and since the length of the tangent from A to Γ is s, we have s2=AE⋅AF=6x2, so CT=x6−b. Since BC=BD+DT+TC, we have BD=BC−x2−(x6−b)=a+b−x(2+6). Since a+b=2s−c=2x6−c, we have BD=x(6−2)−c. Now, by Pythagorean Theorem, we have c2=AB2=AD2+BD2=x2+[x(6−2)−c]2. Simplifying gives x2(9−43)=xc(26−22). This yields cx=9−4326−22=3362+106=3372+600
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