Problem

Source:

Tags: Comc, 2017 COMC



Source: 2017 Canadian Open Math Challenge, Problem C3 Let $XYZ$ be an acute-angled triangle. Let $s$ be the side-length of the square which has two adjacent vertices on side $YZ$, one vertex on side $XY$ and one vertex on side $XZ$. Let $h$ be the distance from $X$ to the side $YZ$ and let $b$ be the distance from $Y$ to $Z$. [asy][asy] pair S, D; D = 1.27; S = 2.55; draw((2, 4)--(0, 0)--(7, 0)--cycle); draw((1.27,0)--(1.27+2.55,0)--(1.27+2.55,2.55)--(1.27,2.55)--cycle); label("$X$",(2,4),N); label("$Y$",(0,0),W); label("$Z$",(7,0),E); [/asy][/asy] (a) If the vertices have coordinates $X = (2, 4)$, $Y = (0, 0)$ and $Z = (4, 0)$, find $b$, $h$ and $s$. (b) Given the height $h = 3$ and $s = 2$, find the base $b$. (c) If the area of the square is $2017$, determine the minimum area of triangle $XYZ$.