Problem

Source: 2018 Ecuador Juniors (OMEC) L2 p4

Tags: geometry, similar triangles, similarity



Given a positive integer $n > 1$ and an angle $\alpha < 90^o$, Jaime draws a spiral $OP_0P_1...P_n$ of the following form (the figure shows the first steps): $\bullet$ First draw a triangle $OP_0P_1$ with $OP_0 = 1$, $\angle P_1OP_0 = \alpha$ and $P_1P_0O = 90^o$ $\bullet$ then for every integer $1 \le i \le n$ draw the point $P_{i+1}$ so that $\angle P_{i+1}OP_i = \alpha$, $\angle P_{i+1}P_iO = 90^o$ and $P_{i-1}$ and $P_{i+1}$ are in different half-planes with respect to the line $OP_i$ a) If $n = 6$ and $\alpha = 30^o$, find the length of $P_0P_n$. b) If $n = 2018$ and $\alpha= 45^o$, find the length of $P_0P_n$.