Simple geometry problem but only using geometry

ovoleg

THE PROBLEM

given EAD = 15 degrees
ADE = 15 degrees
its a 10 by 10 square

you can only use geometry to solve this problem, NO TRIGONOMETRY. Supposedly it can be done...I've been trying!!


3. The attempt at a solution


angle ABC = angle DCE by symmetry
angle EBC = angle ECB by symmetry

angle ABC + angle EBC = angle DCE + angle ECB = 90 degrees

angle AEB = 75 degrees = DEC

angle AED = 150 degrees

DaveC426913

1] Your first line is false.

2] Can you elaborate on this 'symmetry' for me? Show why they're symmetrical?

DaveC426913

1] Your first line is false.

2] Can you elaborate on this 'symmetry' for me? Show why they're symmetrical?

ovoleg

oh im sorry typo!!

Meant to say angle ABE!

Can I try to approach this by assuming that BEC is not an equilateral triangle and try to prove it by contradiction??

rock.freak667

angle AEB = Angle DEC 75 degrees

That is correct.


But you are just given a square. and those angles of 15.

Now if the base angles are both 15, what sort of triangle is that? When see what that is, you just need to remember the ways to show that triangles are congruent.

tiny-tim

Hi ovoleg!

Hint: scrub out lines BE and CE.

Then make the diagram symmetric by drawing in the quadrilateral EFGH, where F G and H are defined in the same way as E.

(oh … and use a protractor to draw the diagram, so that those angles look like 15º )

Redbelly98

Hello ovoleg,

Have you studied congruent triangles and theorems such as ASA, SSS, etc.?

tiny-tim

Bigger hint:

What is triangle congruent to?