Geo1: Triangles and Polygons Exploration

Kevin Ren

September 18, 2016

1 Problems

For what follows, let AB = c, BC = a, AC = b. Assume unless otherwise stated that the
area of a triangle is one-half base times height. Also, accept the notions of trigonometry
stated in Geo1.

1.1 Right triangles

1. Prove that if ∠C = 90◦ then a2 + b2 = c2 . (Hint: 3)

1.2 Types of triangles

Assume that AB = AC if and only if ∠B = ∠C.

2. Prove that in a triangle, all three sides are equal if and only if all three angles are equal
to 60◦ .
3. (a) Let A be a point and ` be a line. Let B be a point on `. Show that AB is minimal
when AB⊥`.
(b) Prove the triangle inequality: a + b > c. (Hint: 2)
(c) Prove that if a + b > c, b + c > a, c + a > b, then a, b, c form the sides of a triangle.
(Hint: 4)

1.3 Triangle centers

Assume the existence of the incenter.

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4. Show that
∠A
∠BIC = 90◦ + .
2
rc
5. (a) Prove that [AIB] = .
2
a+b+c
(b) Show that [ABC] = rs, where s = is the semi-perimeter.
2
6. Let D, E, F be the points of tangency of the incircle with BC, CA, AB respectively.
Assume that AE = AF, BD = BF, CD = CE. Show that (Hint: 8)

AE = s − a, BF = s − b, CD = s − c.

F
E

C
D

Assume the existence of the circumcenter.

7. Show that ∠BOC = 2∠A and ∠OBC = 90◦ − ∠A.
8. (a) Prove that the distance from O to BC equals R cos A.
(b) Prove the Extended Law of Sines: (Hint: 5)

a b c
= = = 2R.
sin A sin B sin C

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1.4 Polygons

9. (a) Draw a parallel line to BC through A. Use it to show that ∠A+∠B +∠C = 180◦ ,
or that the sum of the angles of a triangle is 180◦ .
(b) Prove by induction that the sum of the angles of an n-gon is 180◦ (n − 2). (Hint:
1)
(c) Using the fact that an exterior angle is supplementary to the corresponding
interior angle, show that the sum of the exterior angles of any polygon is 360◦ .
Now let’s find area. We accept the notion that a rectangle of length l and height h has
area lh.
1
10. (a) Prove that the area of a right triangle is ab, where a, b are the lengths of the
2
legs.
1
(b) Prove that the area of any triangle is bh, where b is the base and h is the height.
2
1
(c) Prove that A = ab sin C.
2
abc
(d) Prove that A = .
4R
(e) Find a formula for the area of a trapezoid in terms of its height and two bases.
(f) Show that the area of a quadrilateral with perpendicular diagonals equals one-half
times the product of the diagonals. (Hint: 6)

1.5 Law of sines/cosines

11. Let ABC be an acute triangle (the proof is similar for obtuse triangles).
(a) Prove that c2 = (a − b cos C)2 + (b sin C)2 .
(b) Deduce the law of cosines:

c2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab cos C

12. Show that ABC is acute if and only if a2 , b2 , c2 form the sides of a triangle.
A
13. Prove that cos A = 1 − 2 sin2 . (Hint: 7)
2

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1.6 Stewart’s theorem

14. It turns out that trig functions are defined for non-acute angles. In particular, the
cosines of two supplementary angles are negatives of each other.
(a) If D is a point on BC and BD = m, CD = n, AD = d, then show that

man + dad = bmb + cnc.

(b) Prove that the length of the median from A equals

√
2b2 + 2c2 − a2
l= ,
2
and the length of the angle bisector from A equals (Hint: 9)
s
a2
d = bc(1 − ).
(b + c)2

1.7 Same base, same height

15. Given point D on BC, show that [ABD] : [ACD] = BD : CD.

16. Let AD be the A-angle bisector.
(a) Show that [ABD] : [ACD] = AB : AC (Hint: 10).
(b) Deduce the angle bisector theorem:

AB DB
= .
AC DC

17. Let AD, BE, CF be concurrent cevians intersecting at G.

(a) Show that [ADB] : [ADC] = [GDB] : [GDC], and determine this ratio in terms
of BD and DC.
(b) Show that [ABG] : [ACG] equals the ratio you found in part a.
(c) Deduce Ceva’s theorem
AF BD CE
· · =1
F B DC EA

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F
E

D C
B

Let D, E, F be on lines BC, CA, AB respectively such that D, E, F collinear.

18. Let hA equal the length of the height from A to EF , and define hB , hC similarly.
(a) Prove that hA : hB = F A : F B.
(b) Prove Menelaus’ theorem:

AF BD CD
· · =1
F B DC EA
(using undirected segments).
A

C D
B

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19. In triangle ABC, points D, E, F are on sides BC, CA, AB respectively such that
AD, BE, CF are concurrent at a point P . If AP : P D = 2 and BD : DC = 3,
find AF : F B.

1.8 Heron’s formula

20. (a) Find cos A in terms of a, b, c.

a+b+c
(b) Find [ABC] in terms of a, b, c and s = .
2
21. Let ABCD be a cyclic quadrilateral, and let AB = a, BC = b, CD = c, DA = d.
(a) Compute AC in two different ways. (Hint: 11)
(b) Find cos B in terms of a, b, c, d. (Hint: 12)
a+b+c+d
(c) Find [ABCD] in terms of a, b, c, d and s = .
2

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2 Hints

1. Subdivide the polygon into smaller polygons.

2. Drop an altitude from A to BC.
3. This can be done by constructing a square of side length (a + b) from four right
triangles that are copies of ABC and one square of side length c.
4. Without loss of generality, let a be the longest side.
5. First prove a = 2R sin A using an analogous argument to the first part.
6. The region consists of four non-overlapping triangles.
7. Consider an isosceles triangle with vertex angle A. What is the length of the base in
terms of A and BC?
8. Develop three equations involving AE, BF, CD.
9. Use the Angle Bisector Theorem to find m and n.
1
10. Use the sine form for area: A = ab sin C.
2
11. Use the Law of Cosines.
12. ∠B and ∠D are supplementary.

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