A Right Triangle Rotating About a Vertex

Problem

figure

In the coordinate plane, the point AA lies in the first quadrant (Fig. 1). The foot of the perpendicular from AA to the xx-axis is BB, the foot of the perpendicular from AA to the yy-axis is CC, and AC=3AC=3. The point MM lies on segment OBOB, and ∠BCM=∠BCA=30∘\angle BCM=\angle BCA=30^\circ.

1. Find the coordinates of the points AA and MM.

2. As in Fig. 2, draw the line MNMN through MM parallel to BCBC. A point EE moves along segment BCBC, and FF is the foot of the perpendicular from EE to line MNMN. Find the minimum value of AE+EF+FCAE+EF+FC.

3. As in Fig. 3, rotate △ABC\triangle ABC clockwise about the point CC, and denote the rotated triangle by △A′B′C′\triangle A'B'C' (so C′=CC'=C). Suppose that during the rotation the rays CA′CA' and CB′CB' both meet the xx-axis, at points GG and HH respectively. Can △GBC\triangle GBC be isosceles? If so, determine all corresponding values of HGHC\dfrac{HG}{HC}; if not, explain why.

Answer

Solution

Difficulty6/10
Topicsplane geometry, Law of Sines, Reflection, analytic geometry, Triangle Geometry

Whiteboard

Your sketch is saved only in this browser. To share it, export your drawing as an image (whiteboard menu → Export as → PNG), then upload that image in the comments below.

Discussion

Ask questions, share alternate solutions, and use LaTeX freely.

0 comments
Log in to join the discussion.

No comments yet.