Question about Geometry

  • Thread starter Horse
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Geometry
  • #1
35
0

Homework Statement



Let ABC be a right angled triangle such that A=90, AB=AC and let M be the mid point of the side AC. Take the point P on the side BC so that AP is vertical to BM. Let H be the intersection of AP ad BM.

Find the ratio BP : PC.

Homework Equations



AB=AC
AM = MC

BP : PC = ?

See the problem here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Qc1Z3hIcYO4/SgbXNoa555I/AAAAAAAABPM/ruupwSz5EoE/s1600-h/bp_pc.JPG.

The Attempt at a Solution



I drew parallel lines, and I found some interesting connections. I am very close to the answer, but I still cannot find it.

Please, see the attachment "parallel_lines.jpg".
 

Attachments

  • ratio.JPG
    ratio.JPG
    26.6 KB · Views: 362
Last edited:
  • #4
Mass points kill this problem in about 2 seconds. Assign mass 2 to points C and A, so point M has mass 4. Using the fact that BAM ~ BFA ~ AFM, you can find that BF/FM = 4, so point B has mass 1. Thus, BP/CP = [ C ]/[ B ] = 2:1 (where [ ] denotes mass).

If you don't know what mass points are, you should go learn about them immediately. (They're awesome.)
 
  • #5
Mass points kill this problem in about 2 seconds. Assign mass 2 to points C and A, so point M has mass 4. Using the fact that BAM ~ BFA ~ AFM, you can find that BF/FM = 4, so point B has mass 1. Thus, BP/CP = [ C ]/[ B ] = 2:1 (where [ ] denotes mass).

If you don't know what mass points are, you should go learn about them immediately. (They're awesome.)

Great thanks for the awesome tip!
 

Suggested for: Question about Geometry

Replies
1
Views
387
Replies
1
Views
593
Replies
12
Views
742
Replies
14
Views
1K
Back
Top