Given a circle Γ and the positive numbers h and m, construct with straight edge and compass a trapezoid inscribed in Γ, such that it has altitude h and the sum of its parallel sides is m.
Problem
Source: Iberoamerican Olympiad 1992, Problem 5
Tags: geometry, trapezoid, trigonometry, rhombus, circumcircle, perpendicular bisector, geometry proposed
15.05.2007 16:30
Suppose that we have constructed the isosceles trapezoid ABCD with AB∥CD Let θ=∠CAB and k=m2 Let C′ be the projection of C to the line AB. Then AC′=AB2+CD2=k From the right triangle AC′C we have tanθ=CC′AC′=hk Construction Let Γ=(O,R) be the given circle We construct a right triangle with two perpendicular sides h and k and hypotenuse w. Then the angle between k and w is θ We construct an arc BC on the circle such that BC2R=hw. In other words it is BC=2R⋅sinθ We construct a triangle BC′C, right at C′, with CC′=h ⋆(1) We extend BC′ to meet the circle at A Through C we bring a parallel to AB which meets the circle at D ⋆(2) Proof If the above constructed quadrilateral ABCD is convex, then it is a trapezoid with altitude h, it is inscribed in Γ and ∠BAC satisfies the property tan(∠BAC)=hk, so we have AB+CD=2k Discussion (1)st condition h<2R⋅sinθ⟺h<2R⋅hw⟺w<2R (2)nd condition The quadrilateral ABCD must be convex. So, the points A,D must be on the same side of BC So, if d is the perpendicular bisector of AB then C have to be in the same half-plane with B So AC>BC⟺ ∠ABC>∠BAC⟺ sin(∠ABC)>sin(∠BAC)⟺ CC′BC>sinθ⟺ hBC>sinθ⟺ h>2R⋅sin2θ⟺ h>2Rh2w2⟺ w2>2Rh Note Another way to construct the point A, after finding the arc BC is to use the fact that BA=w
20.03.2010 02:14
Let K,L,M,N be the midpoints of AB,BC,CD,DA. It is clear that ABCD is an isosceles trapezoid ⟹ KLMN is a rhombus with known diagonals KM=h and LN=12(AB+CD)=12m. The construction of a rhombus congruent to KLMN is immediate and then we obtain the measure of the diagonal AC which is twice the length of its side. Triangle △ACD with side length AC=2KL, altitude h onto DC and circumcircle Γ is constructible, this is: Fix the chord AC in Γ and draw the circumference with diameter AC. Circumference centered at A with radius h cuts the circumference with diameter AC at the orthogonal projection H of A onto DC, then ray CH cuts Γ at D. The parallel line to CD passing through A cuts Γ again at B, which completes the trapezoid.