Find the Ratio of BG to FG in a Figure with Given Side Lengths

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    2016
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The discussion focuses on calculating the ratio of segments BG to FG in a geometric figure with specified side lengths: AB=AF=15, FD=12, BD=18, BE=24, and CF=17. The problem is part of the Problem of the Week (POTW) series on the Math Help Boards. Participants are encouraged to engage with the problem and submit solutions, as previous problems have gone unanswered.

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Here is this week's POTW:

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In the figure below, $AB=AF=15,\,FD=12,\,BD=18,\,BE=24$ and $CF=17$. Find $$\frac{BG}{FG}$$.

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/5959._xfImport

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No one answered last week problem. :(

You can see the proposed solution as follows:

By applying the Stewart's theorem on triangle $ABD$ and the line $BF$, we have:

$15^2\cdot 12+18^2 \cdot 15 =BF^2\cdot 27+15\cdot 12\cdot 27$

So $BF=10$ and so $EF=24-10=14$.

Again we use the Stewart's theorem on triangle $ABE$ and the line $AF$, we have:

$AE^2\cdot 10+15^2 \cdot 14 =15^2\cdot 24+14\cdot 10\cdot 24$

So $AE=\sqrt{561}$.

By Stewart's theorem on triangle $AED$ and the line $EF$, we have:

$ED^2\cdot 15+561 \cdot 12 =14^2\cdot 27+12\cdot 15\cdot 27$

So $ED=2\sqrt{57}$.

By Stewart's theorem on triangle $CFE$ and the line $FD$, we have:

$14^2\cdot CD+17^2 \cdot 2\sqrt{57} =12^2\cdot (CD+2\sqrt{57})+2\sqrt{57}\cdot 12\cdot CD \cdot (CD+2\sqrt{57})$

So $CD=\sqrt{57}$ and $CE=CD+DE=3\sqrt{57}$.

Note that $DG=18-BG$ and apply Menelaus' theorem to triangle $BED$ and the line through $C,\,G$ and $F$ to get $$3\cdot\frac{18-BG}{BG}\cdot \frac{10}{14}=1$$, so $$BG=\frac{135}{11}$$.

Similarly, $CG=17-FG$, so applying Menelaus's theorem to triangle $CFE$ and the line through $B,\,G$ and $D$ we get $$\frac{24}{10}\cdot \frac{FG}{17-FG}\cdot \frac{1}{2}=1$$ so $$FG=\frac{85}{11}$$.

Therefore $$\frac{BG}{FG}=\frac{27}{17}$$.
 

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