To post images you also have to click the post reply option not the quick post option.
This geometry problem was given to me when I was an A level student many many years ago. My teacher said it is possible to do it by drawing one additional construction line. None of the class could do it and so he showed us. I remember it then looked easy but I cannot remember his method.
Years later I returned to the problem and tried many methods. You can get it by sine and cosine rules, but this would involve using a calculator and so wouldn't give 'absolute accuracy'. I reasoned that, since these rules can be derived from Euclidean geometry, it must be possible to take the rules out of the method and do it using Euclidean geometry itself.
It still took me many years working, on and off, to get there. You will see that there are several isosceles triangles there, and so, many circles can be drawn from a point in the diagram to go through other points in the diagram. One of these creates an equilateral triangle and, for me, that was the breakthrough. You can then find new points on that circle that allow you to complete the problem.
I think the full proof is 'up there' somewhere in this thread if you are still stuck.
Bob
]]>Welcome to the forum.
I was a new member when I posted that question.
I think I was having trouble uploading images, so I linked it into the post.
More recently I had to remove the image to save on-line space.
Anyway, here it is again (below)
The question is "Find x"
Bob
]]>The diagram shows a triangle ABC
with ABC = 80 and ACB = 80
D lies on AC so that DBC = 60
and E lies on AB so that ECB = 50.
To find (by Euclidean geometry) x = EDB
I am sorry but that problem was a long time ago and I have misplaced both the problem and the solutions. Maybe the OP can provide it.
]]>Line segment DFC is a straight line because it is on the side of triangle.
]]>The diagram is gone, and I remember little about this problem. But a straight line is 180 degrees. I suppose the other two angles are given or can be deduced. 180 ° - (80 ° +60 °) = 40 °
]]>Only advantage of being hundreds of years older than the average poster in here ( age 13 - 25 ). Experience! Knowledge of what went before.
Once you have seen a proof, it is very difficult to forget it. Some of the particulars might fade but you know you have seen it before. Eventually you will piece it together.
Let's examine the chronology of this thread. I thought that you might really need the answer ( I didn't know you were posing a problem) . I just put the answer there ( post #7) because I knew it, I said that was all I would post. I hoped it wouldn't prevent others from working on the problem. When you asked for the proof ( post #8 ), I again reasoned that you needed the answer for some practical purpose. In such a case quoting someone else's proof is okay. I was only trying to help.
In post #11 I immediately set the record straight that it was not my proof. To not do so would be dishonest. It now became clear for the first time that you were not seeking help but were posing a problem that you already knew the answer to. Perhaps that is why it was in puzzles and games, something I missed. In any event, I believe research is an invaluable tool in not rediscovering America. Solving a problem using research or memory in no way demeans the problem or the solver, just as long as proper credit is given.
I thought it might be Rest In Peace Or Start Trying Properly. (in other words Do it or die trying)
I understand this attitude. I have a problem that I have been working on for more than 10 years. If I were to take and dedicate a single machine to it I could have the answer in about a year of computing time. I want a mathematical solution, so 10+ years...
Point is I didn't think you wanted to wait 10 years...
I post problems here too. I usually don't get the answer or the method I am looking for. Usually when I do not want a known solution, I state that in the problem. Anyway, I enjoyed the problem as I did have to review some material to even post the solution.
]]>I thought it might be Rest In Peace Or Start Trying Properly. (in other words Do it or die trying)
]]>You are right on the money on all your points. One solution uses the law of sines and is perhaps the best way because it doesn't need to add anything to the diagram. Another solution does use a very helpful circle, so you are right again. Lastly, you are correct in surmising that research solved this problem for me.
But then I thought: all well defined problems like this can be solved using the sine rule (I think) so maybe they're all solvable if you can find the right circle(s). That's as far as I've got so far.
There is another solution where he draws a helpful circle and inscribes an eighteen sided polygon in it to solve the problem.
ps. If you've got a book with more like this, perhaps you would post one (just one please, I've got things to do!)
Take a look at post #7.
R. I. P. O. S. T. P. stands for Research Is Part Of Solving The Problem. You are correct in assuming I have a book ( 3 ) on this problem and its variants.
(Problem moved to exercises)
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