Can Isosceles Triangles Solve This Geometry Problem?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a geometry problem involving isosceles triangles and the positioning of a point P related to a square and an Apollonius circle. Participants explore the necessary information and relationships to solve the problem, focusing on ratios and area calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the observation of isosceles triangles but struggles with the ratios involved in the problem.
  • Another participant argues that insufficient information is provided to solve the problem, specifically mentioning the need for the length of the sides of the square to determine the position of point P.
  • This participant also explains that point P must lie on an Apollonius circle and discusses the relationship between distances PD and PB.
  • A later reply acknowledges a correction regarding the determination of lengths PB and PD, indicating that they can be uniquely determined despite the lack of information about the position of P.
  • Another participant expresses disagreement with a previous claim, suggesting differing viewpoints on the problem's solvability.
  • One participant shares their experience of struggling with the problem and expresses gratitude for the insights gained from the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the problem can be solved with the given information, indicating a lack of consensus on the sufficiency of the data provided.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the length of the sides of the square and the unresolved nature of the position of point P, which affects the overall solution.

karush
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I tried about an hour to solve this but couldn't get the ratios to work I assume there are isoseles triangles in this but that is just observation
 

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I do not believe that there is enough information here to provide a solution. You need an additional fact, such as for example the length of the sides of the square.

The point $P$ must lie on an Apollonius circle with its centre on the line $BD$. (That is the set of all points for which the distances $PD$ and $PB$ are in the ratio 5 to 6.)

The area of the triangle $APC$ is half the diagonal $AC$ times the distance of $P$ from $AC$. But unless you know the length of that diagonal you cannot fix the position of $P$ or the lengths $PB$ and $PD$.

Edit. ILS's neat solution below shows that I was wrong. I was trying to determine the position of the point $P$, and it's true that this cannot be determined without further information. But the lengths $PB$ and $PD$ are uniquely determined, which I find quite surprising.
 
Last edited:
Sorry Opalg, I'm afraid I have to disagree. (Wink)

Let's say the square has side $s$.
Let's pick $A$ at the origin $O$.
And lets' pick $P=(p,q)$.
Then $A=(0,0), B=(s,0), C=(s,s), D=(0,s)$.

The triangle $ACP$ has area:
$$\frac 12 \| \vec{AP} \times \vec{AC} \| = \frac 12 \| \vec{OP} \times \vec{OC} \| = \frac 12 |ps-qs| = 19 \tag 1$$
The other equations yield:
$$PD=15x \quad\Rightarrow\quad p^2 + (s-q)^2 = (15x)^2 \quad\Rightarrow\quad p^2+q^2+s^2 - 2qs = 225x^2 \tag 2$$
$$PB=18x \quad\Rightarrow\quad (s-p)^2 + q^2 = (18x)^2 \quad\Rightarrow\quad p^2+q^2+s^2 - 2ps = 324x^2 \tag 3$$

Subtract $(2)$ from $(3)$:
$$-2ps + 2qs = 99x^2$$

Combine with $(1)$:
$$4 \cdot 19 = 99x^2 \quad\Rightarrow\quad x = \sqrt{\frac{4\cdot 19}{99}} = \frac 23\sqrt{\frac{19}{11}}$$
 
wow thank you

I spent another 2 hours on this but couldn't make those conections

I found this on G+ but everyone was giving up. but here it got solved.😎
 

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