Let ABC be a triangle with AB=5,AC=4,BC=6. The angle bisector of C intersects side AB at X. Points M and N are drawn on sides BC and AC, respectively, such that XM∥AC and XN∥BC. Compute the length MN.
A number or a short expression. Fractions can be typed as 3/2, and spacing doesn't matter.
Solution
By Stewart's Theorem on the angle bisector, CX2=AC⋅BC(1−AC+BCAB2) Thus, CX2=4⋅6(1−1052)=18 Since XM∥AC and XN∥BC, we produce equal angles. So, by similar triangles, XM=XN=104⋅6=512. Moreover, triangles MCX and NCX are congruent isosceles triangles with vertices M and N, respectively. Since CX is an angle bisector, then CX and MN are perpendicular bisectors of each other. Therefore, MN2=4(XN2−(CX/2)2)=4⋅(512)2−18=25126 and MN=5314
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