MHB Triangle Challenge: Prove 2.5<PQ/QR<3

AI Thread Summary
In triangle PQR, which is right-angled at R, the median from Q bisects the angle between sides QP and the angle bisector of angle Q. The challenge is to prove that the ratio of PQ to QR lies between 2.5 and 3. Participants in the discussion express appreciation for the insightful solutions provided, particularly highlighting the contributions of MarkFL. The conversation emphasizes collaborative problem-solving and the sharing of different approaches to the proof. The challenge remains open for further solutions and insights from other contributors.
anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
In a triangle $PQR$ right-angled at $R$, the median through $Q$ bisects the angle between $QP$ and the bisector of $\angle Q$.

Prove that $2.5<\dfrac{PQ}{QR}<3$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
My solution:

Please refer to the following diagram:

View attachment 3974

We see that:

$$\sec^2(4\alpha)=\left(\frac{\overline{PQ}}{\overline{QR}}\right)^2$$

And we also find:

$$4\tan^2(3\alpha)+1=\left(\frac{\overline{PQ}}{\overline{QR}}\right)^2$$

And so this implies:

$$f(\alpha)=4\tan^2(3\alpha)-\sec^2(4\alpha)+1=0$$

Using a numeric root-finding technique, we find the smallest positive root (the only applicable root) is:

$$\alpha\approx0.29630697598921511618$$

And thus:

$$\sec(4\alpha)\approx2.6589670819169940791$$

Hence:

$$2.5<\frac{\overline{PQ}}{\overline{QR}}<3$$
 

Attachments

  • trianglechallenge.png
    trianglechallenge.png
    2 KB · Views: 103
Thanks, MarkFL for participating and the really smart and intelligent way to prove this challenge! :cool:

I want to share the solution of other too:

If we use MarkFL's provided diagram, the Sine rule tells us, both from triangles $PQS$ and $QSR$ that

$\dfrac{QS}{\sin P}=\dfrac{PS}{\sin \theta}$

$\dfrac{QS}{\sin 90^{\circ}}=\dfrac{RS}{\sin 3\theta}$

Since $PS=RS$, we obtain $\sin 3\theta \sin P=\sin \theta$. However, $P=90^{\circ}-4\theta$, thus we get $\sin 3\theta \cos 4\theta=\sin \theta$.

Note that

$\dfrac{PQ}{QR}=\dfrac{1}{\cos 4\theta}=\dfrac{\sin 3\theta}{\sin \theta}=3-4\sin^2 \theta$

This shows that $\dfrac{PQ}{QR}<3$.

Using $\dfrac{PQ}{QR}=3-4\sin^2 \theta$, it's easy to compute $\cos 2\theta=\dfrac{\dfrac{PQ}{QR}-1}{2}$.

Hence,

$\dfrac{QR}{PQ}=\cos 4\theta=\dfrac{1}{2}\left(\dfrac{PQ}{QR}-1\right)^2-1$

Suppose $\dfrac{PQ}{QR}\le 2.5=\dfrac{5}{2}$. Then $\left(\dfrac{PQ}{QR}-1\right)^2\le \dfrac{9}{4}$ and $\dfrac{QR}{PQ}\ge \dfrac{2}{5}$.

Thus,

$\dfrac{2}{5}\le \dfrac{QR}{PQ}=\dfrac{1}{2}\left(\dfrac{PQ}{QR}-1\right)^2-1\le \dfrac{9}{8}-1=\dfrac{1}{8}$, which is absurd.

We conclude then that $\dfrac{QR}{PQ}>\dfrac{5}{2}$ and the proof is done.
 
Suppose ,instead of the usual x,y coordinate system with an I basis vector along the x -axis and a corresponding j basis vector along the y-axis we instead have a different pair of basis vectors ,call them e and f along their respective axes. I have seen that this is an important subject in maths My question is what physical applications does such a model apply to? I am asking here because I have devoted quite a lot of time in the past to understanding convectors and the dual...
Fermat's Last Theorem has long been one of the most famous mathematical problems, and is now one of the most famous theorems. It simply states that the equation $$ a^n+b^n=c^n $$ has no solutions with positive integers if ##n>2.## It was named after Pierre de Fermat (1607-1665). The problem itself stems from the book Arithmetica by Diophantus of Alexandria. It gained popularity because Fermat noted in his copy "Cubum autem in duos cubos, aut quadratoquadratum in duos quadratoquadratos, et...
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
Back
Top