Lecture 10

Pythagoras’ Theorem and Its Applications

Theorem I. (Pythagoras’ Theorem) For a right-angled triangle with two legs a, b

and hypotenuse c, the sum of squares of legs is equal to the square of its hy-
potenuse, i.e. a2 + b2 = c2 .

Theorem II. (Inverse Theorem) If the lengths a, b, c of three sides of a triangle

have the relation a2 + b2 = c2 , then the triangle must be a right-angled triangle
with two legs a, b and hypotenuse c.

When investigating a right-angled triangle (or shortly, right triangle), the fol-
lowing conclusions are often used:

Theorem III. A triangle is a right triangle, if and only if the median on one side
is half of the side.

Theorem IV. If a right triangle has an interior angle of size 30± , then its opposite
leg is half of the hypotenuse.

Examples
p
Example 1. Given that the perimeter of a right angled triangle is (2 + 6) cm,
the median on the hypotenuse is 1 cm, find the area of the triangle.

Solution The Theorem III implies that AD = BD = CD = 1, so AB = 2.

Let AC = b, BC = a, then

59
60 Lecture 10 Pythagoras’ Theorem and Its Applications

p
a2 + b2 = 22 = 4 and a + b = 6. .......
B
...... ..
..
......... ...
.... ...
.......
Therefore 6 = (a + b)2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab, so .......
.........
...... ..
..
..
... ..
..
D
. .
......
. .
. .......
.
..... ..
..
.
... ....... ..
6°4 .....
......... .......
........
1
..
..
ab = = 1, .
.......
........ .......
.
.......
..
..
2 ...........
. .
......... .......
.......
........ ....
..
.
..
.......................................................................................................................................
1 A C
the area of the triangle ABC is .
2
Example 2. As shown in the figure, \C = 90± , \1 = \2, CD = 1.5 cm,
BD = 2.5 cm. Find AC.

Solution From D introduce DE ? AB, intersecting AB at E.

When we fold up the plane that 4CAD lies
along the line AD, then C coincides with E, so
C
...... ... .....
... ...........
AC = AE, DE = CD = 1.5 (cm). ...
...... ......
......
.... D
... .............
.....
........ ... ... ...........
..
... ...
..... ... ......
. .... ......
... .......
By applying Pythagoras’ Theorem to 4BED, . ..... ..............
.1.......
..
.
.
......
......
......
.. .... 2 . ....
....................................................................................................................
.
..... .
p p B
A E
BE = BD2 ° DE 2 = 6.25 ° 2.25 = 2 (cm).

Letting AC = AE = x cm and applying Pythagoras’ Theorem to 4ABC leads

the equation
(x + 2)2 = x2 + 42 ,
4x = 12, ) x = 3.
Thus AC = 3 cm.

Example 3. As shown in the figure, ABCD is a square, P is an inner point such

that P A : P B : P C = 1 : 2 : 3. Find \AP B in degrees.

Solution Without loss of generality, we assume that P A = 1, P B = 2, P C =

3. Rotate the 4AP B around B by 90± in clock-
wise direction, such that P ! Q, A ! C, then
4BP Q is an isosceles right triangle, therefore D .............................................................................................. C
.
.. .......... .
... ..... ..
.. ..... .... .....
.. ......
P Q2 = 2P B 2 = 8, CQ2 = P A2 = 1,
...
..
..
.
.....
.....
... ...
..
..
...
.
....
Q
.. . .
....
. .. .... ...
.. .
... .
. .
. ..
.. ..
. . . .
.. ..... ..... .. .
.. ..... ...... ... .
therefore, by Pythagoras’ Theorem, ..
.. .
..
...... ...... . .. ...
.
.
.. ..... .... ... .
.. ..... ... .. ..
...
P ..
............
. .. .
.. ..
.....
. .. .
.. . .
.. ................ .. ..
P C = 9 = CQ + P Q , \CQP = 90 .
2 2 2 ± ..
.. ............
.. .......
..
.. .............
.............
............. .....
.. .
.
..................................................................................................

A B
Hence \AP B = \CQB = 90± + 45± = 135± .
 Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad 61

Example 4. (SSSMO(J)/2003) The diagram shows a hexagon ABCDEF made

up of five right-angled isosceles triangles ABO, BCO, CDO, DEO, EF O, and
a triangle AOF , where O is the point of intersection of the lines BF and AE.
Given that OA = 8 cm, find the area of 4AOF in cm2 .
Solution From

OC = p1 OB = ( p12 )2 OA = 12 OA, C
2 D.......................................................................
OE = p1 OC = 41 OA = 2 (cm). ......
... ... ..
...
.......
.......
2
. ..... ....
... .......
.......
.......
......
B
.. ... .. .
. ............ .....
E .........
G
... ....... ... .... .
. .......
.... ...........
...
Since Rt4EF O ª Rt4ABO, ... ............... ... ... .......................
... .. ...........................
... .
. ...
...
...
............. .......

F O
........
........
........
.......
.
.......
........
...
...
1 1 ........
........ ........ .
........ .......
...
...
EF = OF = OB = p OA. ........ ......
........ .......
...
...
4 4 2
........ ......
........ .......
........ ......
..............
...
...
.
............... ....
............ ..
.........
A
Let F G ? AE at G, then F G = p12 OF
= 81 OA = 1 cm. Thus, the area of 4AOF , S4AOF , is given by

1
S4AOF = AO · F G = 4 (cm2 ).
2

Example 5. (Formula for median) In 4ABC, AM is the median on the side BC.
Prove that AB 2 + AC 2 = 2(AM 2 + BM 2 ).
Solution Suppose that AD ? BC at D. By Pythagoras’ Theorem,

AB 2 = BD2 + AD2 = (BM + M D)2 + AD2 ...........A

.
........
...
...... .... .. .....
= BM 2 + 2BM · M D + M D2 + AM 2 ° M D2 .................. ....... ..... ........
..
..... .. . ...
= BM 2 + AM 2 + 2BM · M D. .
...
..
.....
..... .
.
.. ... ....
.. .
.
...
. .. .. . ...
..... .. ... ...
..... .. ...
........
. .. .
. ...
Similarly, we have ...
.....
... .
....
..
.
.
..
.
.. .
.
.
.
.
...
...
...
...
. .. . ...
.
..... .. .
...........................................................................................................................
AC 2 = CM 2 + AM 2 ° 2M C · M D. B M D C
Thus, by adding the two equalities up, since BM = CM ,

AB 2 + AC 2 = 2(AM 2 + BM 2 ).

Note: When AM is extended to E such that ABEC is a parallelogram, then

the formula of median is the same as the parallelogram rule:

AB 2 + BE 2 + EC 2 + CA2 = AE 2 + BC 2 .

Example 6. In the figure, \C = 90± , \A = 30± , D is the mid-point of AB and

DE ? AB, AE = 4 cm. Find BC.
62 Lecture 10 Pythagoras’ Theorem and Its Applications

Solution Connect BE. Since ED is the perpendicular bisector of AB,

BE = AE, so \EBD = \EBA = \A = 30± , \CBE = 60± ° 30± = 30± ,
) CE = 12 BE = DE = 12 AE = 2 cm.
Now let BC = x cm, then from Pythagoras’ B ..............
... .. .......
Theorem, ... .. .........
... ..
... ..
.......
.......
.. .......
... .......
... .. ....... D
.
. .. ..........
(2x) = xp + 6 =)
2 2 2
p x2
= 12 .
...
...
...
..
..
.. ....
.
... .............
.......
.......
... .. ... .......
=) x = 12 = 2 3 cm. ...
...
. ... .. .
.
.
.. .......
.......
.
.................................................................................................................
.

p C E A
Thus, BC = 2 3 cm.
Example 7. For 4ABC, O is an inner point, and D, E, F are on BC, CA, AB
respectively, such that OD ? BC, OE ? CA, and OF ? AB. Prove that
AF 2 + BD2 + CE 2 = BF 2 + DC 2 + AE 2 .
Solution By applying the Pythagoras’ Theorem to the triangles OAF, OBF ,
OBD, OCD, OCE and OAE, it follows that A
..
........
.... . ..
.
...... ... .....
AF 2 + BD2 + CE 2 .... .
..... ..
.
.... .. ...
...
. E
F ..... . .....
....... .....
= AO2 ° OF 2 + BO2 ° OD2 + CO2 ° OE 2 ....
..
.
.. ..
......
. .... . .......
.
.
.
.
..... ... ......
.
...
.
...
...
.... .......... ...
....
= (BO2 ° OF 2 ) + (CO2 ° OD2 ) + (AO2 ° OE ) 2
...
.. .
....
.
.. .... .... ...... ...
.
.
.
. ..
.. .... .
...
...
.. ..
.
. .. ... . .. .
.
. O ... .. ...
..
= BF 2 + DC 2 + AE 2 . .
.
.
.. ... ..
.. ... .
.. ....
.... ....
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.. ...
. .... .....
.... . ....
.
.. ... .. ...
....... . .. .
...................................................................................................................................
The conclusion is proven. B D C

Example 8. In the diagram given below, P is an interior point of 4ABC, P P1 ?

AB, P P2 ? BC, P P3 ? AC, and BP1 = BP2 , CP2 = CP3 , prove that
AP1 = AP3 .
Solution For the quadrilateral AP1 BP , since its two diagonals are perpen-
dicular to each other,

AP12 + BP 2 = AF 2 + P1 F 2 + BF 2 + P F 2
= AP 2 + BP12 . A .............. P3
................. ....................................
P ......... ..... ...
1 ..................... ................ ...... .
.......
...... ....
............ ..... .. ...
. .. ..
........ ...
By considering AP3 CP and P CP2 B respec- ...
.
... .................
...
..
.. ....
........
....... ..... E
.
..
..
.... F .
. ..
.......
.. ..... . ........
.
. .....
... ..
tively, it follows similarly that .......
. ..... ..
... ......
...
..... .........
. ...........
.
. ....
...
..
...
..
..
..
..
.
.. ....... .... .. .... ...
. ... .... . ... .
.
.
.
.. .
..
. ..... ... .
. ..... ....
. . . .
.
.
.
.
P ... ..
.. ....
... ...
... ...
AP 2 + CP32 = AP32 + P C 2 , .
... ..... ....
........ ....
............ ..
.
...
..
.
.... . ... ..
... .. ... ..
.. ........
..............................................................................................................................................
BP22 + P C 2 = P B 2 + CP22 . .......
.......
..
. ... .
.........
B .......
.......
.......
D
...
. .......... ...... C
....... ... ......
....... . ......
....... .... ............
Then adding up the three equalities yields ................
...

P2
AP12 = AP32 , ) AP1 = AP3 .
 Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad 63

Example 9. In square ABCD, M is the midpoint of AD and N is the midpoint

of M D. Prove that \N BC = 2\ABM .

Solution Let AB = BC = CD = DA = a. Let E be the midpoint of CD.

Let the lines AD and BE intersect at F .

By symmetry, we have DF = CB = a. Since A .............................M

...
N D F
............................................. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .......
... ..... .... . ....
... .. ...
right triangles ABM and CBE are symmetric in ...
... ..
..
... .....
.
. ..
..
. .. .
... .... .
... ... ... ... ... ..
.... .
the line BD, \ABM = \CBE. ...
... ..
.. ...
... .....
.
..
.. . .... ....
. .
.
... ... ... .
.. .....
.. ... .. .. ....
It suffices to show \N BE = \EBC, and for ...
... .........
... .. .. . . ....
.
... .... . E ...
... ....... .... .... ..
this we only need to show \N BF = \BF N .. ....... ... ....
.......... .
..
..
.
......................................................................
since \DF E = \EBC. B C
By assumption we have
r
3 3 5
AN = a, ) NB = ( a)2 + a2 = a.
4 4 4
On the other hand,
1 5
NF = a + a = a,
4 4
so N F = BN , hence \N BF = \BF N .

Testing Questions (A)

1. (CHINA/1995) In 4ABC, \A = 90± , AB = AC, D is a point on BC.

Prove that BD2 + CD2 = 2AD2 .

2. Given that Rt4ABC has a perimeter of 30 cm and an area of 30 cm2 . Find

the lengths of its three sides.

3. In the Rt4ABC, \C = 90± , AD is the angle bisector of \A which inter-

sects BC at D. Given AB = 15 cm, AC = 9 cm, BD : DC = 5 : 3. Find
the distance of D from AB.

4. In the right triangle ABC, \C = 90± , BC = 12 cm, AC = 6 cm, the per-

pendicular bisector of AB intersects AB and BC at D and E respectively.
Find CE.
1
5. In the rectangle ABCD, CE ? DB at E, BE = BD and CE = 5 cm.
4
Find the length of AC.
64 Lecture 10 Pythagoras’ Theorem and Its Applications

6. In 4ABC, \C = 90± , D is the mid-point of AC. Prove that

AB 2 + 3BC 2 = 4BD2 .

7. In the right triangle ABC, \C = 90± , E, D are points on AC and BC

respectively. Prove that

AD2 + BE 2 = AB 2 + DE 2 .

8. (CHNMOL/1990) 4ABC is an isosceles triangle with AB = AC = 2.

There are 100 points P1 , P2 , . . . , P100 on the side BC. Write mi = APi2 +
BPi · Pi C (i = 1, 2, . . . , 100), find the value of m1 + m2 + · · · + m100 .
9. In 4ABC, \C = 90± , D is the midpoint of AB, E, F are two points on
AC and BC respectively, and DE ? DF . Prove that EF 2 = AE 2 +BF 2 .

10. (CHINA/1996) Given that P is anpinner point of the equilateral triangle

ABC, such that P A = 2, P B = 2 3, P C = 4. Find the length of the side
of 4ABC.

Testing Questions (B)

1. (SSSMO(J)/2003/Q8) AB is a chord in a circle with center O and radius

52 cm. The point M divides the chord AB such that AM = 63 cm and
M B = 33 cm. Find the length OM in cm.
2. (CHINA/1996) ABCD is a rectangle, P is an inner point of the rectangle
such that P A = 3, P B = 4, P C = 5, find P D.
3. Determine whether such a right-angled triangle exists: each side is an integer
and one leg is a multiple of the other leg of the right angle.
4. (AHSME/1996) In rectangle ABCD, \C is trisected by CF and CE, where
E is on AB, F is on AD, BE = 6 and AF = 2. Which of the following is
closest to the area of the rectangle ABCD?
(A) 110, (B) 120, (C) 130, (D) 140, (E) 150.

5. (Hungary/1912) Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral. Prove that AC ? BD

if and only if AB 2 + CD2 = AD2 + BC 2 .
 Lecture 11

Congruence of Triangles

Two triangles are called congruent if and only if their shapes and sizes are both
the same.
In geometry, congruence of triangles is a very important and basic tool in
proving the equality relations or inequality relations of two geometric elements
(e.g. two segments, two angles, two sums of sides, two differences of angles,
etc.). Two triangles are congruent means they are the same in all aspects, so any
corresponding geometric elements are equal also.
To prove two geometric elements being equal, it is convenient to construct two
congruent triangles such that the two elements are the corresponding elements of
the congruent triangles.
To prove two geometric elements are equal or not equal, even though their
positions are wide apart, by using the congruence of two triangles, we can move
the position of a triangle which carries one element, such that these two elements
are positioned together so their comparison becomes much easier.

Basic Criteria for Congruence of Two Triangles

(i) S.A.S.: Two sides and their included angle of one triangle are equal to
those in the other triangle correspondingly.
(ii) A.A.S.: Two angles and one side of a triangle are equal to those in the
other triangle correspondingly.
(iii) S.S.S.: Three sides of a triangle are equal to those of the other triangle
correspondingly.
For right triangles, these criteria can be simplified as follows:
(iv) S.A.: One side and one acute angle of a triangle are equal to those of the
other triangle correspondingly.
(v) S.S.: Two sides of a triangle are equal to those of the other triangle corre-
spondingly.

65
66 Lecture 11 Congruence of Triangles

Examples

Example 1. As shown in the diagram, given that in 4ABC, AB = AC, D is on

AB and E is on the extension of AC such that BD = CE. The segment DE
intersects BC at G. Prove that DG = GE.

Solution From D introduce DF k AE,

A
intersecting BC at F , as shown in the right ...
.....
.. ...
.. ....
.
diagram. Then ..
..
. ...
...
...
..
. ...
.
. ...
.
. ...
..
.
\F DG = \CEG, \DGF = \EGC. .
.
.
.
..
...
...
...
.
. ...
.. ...
.. ...
.. ...
Since \BF D = \BCA = \DBF , we D ...
.
.
.
. ...
...
...
............ ...
have .
.
.
. .. ......
. . .....
...
...
.. .. ...... ...
DF = DB = CE. ..
.
.
.. ..
..
..
.
..
.....
......
.....
...
...
...
.
. ...... ...
.
. .. ...... ..
.. .
.......................................................................................................
Therefore B ..... ...C
F G .....
.....
.....
.....
...
...
.
..... .....
..... ..
4DF G ª
= 4ECG(A.A.S.), ..... ...
..... ..
.......
.......
..

hence DG = GE. E

Example 2. Given BE and CF are the altitudes of the 4ABC. P, Q are on BE

and the extension of CF respectively such that BP = AC, CQ = AB. Prove
that AP ? AQ.

Solution From AB ? CQ and BE ? AC

\ABE = \QCA.
Q ....................................
.....
.....
.....
..........
........A
......
Since AB = CQ and BP = CA, ..... ............ ....
........... .. ...
F ...
... .. ..
.
.... ... .
..... ...........
...
...
.....
..... ......... ...
..
.......... .... ....
E
4ABP ª
.
. .
= 4QCA (S.A.S.), ....
. .. .. ..
.
.... . .. .
.. ..... .
.
... .
. ....... ..... ....
.. .
) \BAP = \CQA,
.
..
.....
.
..
........
... ..
....
O ..... ...
..... ...
.
.....
.
..
..... ...............
.
.......
.. ....
P ..... ...
..... ...
..... ..... ...
) \QAP = \QAF + \BAP . .. ..
.. ...
.
..........
..... ...............
. ........
..... ..
........
........
. .
.......................................................................................................................................
= \QAF + \CQA B C
= 180± ° 90± = 90± .

Example 3. (CHINA/1992) In the equilateral 4ABC, the points D and E are on

AC and AB respectively, such that BD and CE intersect at P , and the area of
the quadrilateral ADP E is equal to area of 4BP C. Find \BP E.

Solution From E and D introduce EF ? AC at F and DG ? BC at G.

 Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad 67

The condition [ADP E] = [BP C] implies that

A ....
[ACE] = [CBD]. ... ...
... .....
.
...
.
... ...... .....
F....
E .............. ...
...
Since AC = BC, so EF = DG. Since \A = ....
...
............
...
.....
...
...
...
.
\C, so Rt4AEF ª
. .
..... ...
= Rt4CDG (A.S.). ...
.
.. ......
.....
...
...
...
.. ......
. D
...
therefore AE = CD, hence .
.
..
.
..
. .....
... .
.
.
.. ...
..... .....
.
.
.
..... ...............
..... . ...
.. . . ... ..

. ...
...
.
...............
.
..........
..... . .
..
P ....... ...
..... ..
.. ..............
. ..
4AEC ª . ........... . .. .......
= 4CDB(S.A.S.). .. .
................................................................................................................................
B G C
Thus, \DBC = \ECD, so that
\BP E = \P BC + \P CB = \P CD + \P CB = 60± .

Example 4. (CHINA/1991) Given that ABC is an equilateral triangle of side 1,

4BDC is isosceles with DB = DC and \BDC = 120± . If points M and N
are on AB and AC respectively such that \M DN = 60± , find the perimeter of
4AM N .

Solution * \DBC = \DCB = 30± , ) DC ? AC, DB ? AB.

A
...
... ...
Extending AB to P such that BP = N C, then .
... .....
... ...
... ...
4DCN ª = 4DBP (S.S.), therefore DP = ...
.
.... ...
...
...
.
. ...
DN . \P DM = 60± = \M DN implies that . ..
... ...
...
...
.....
E
...
..
.................
N
M .
...
.................................... ..
...
........ .. ...
.. ....
4P DM ª = 4M DN, (S.A.S.), .....
......
... ...
..
..
..
...
.. ....
...
... .....
.
.. .. ...
...
) P M = M N, ....
. ...
...
..
. . ... ..
.................................................................................................................
.
B .
..
. ....... ... . .
. .. ..
.. .
) M N = P M = BM + P M = BM + N C. ..
..
. .......
....... ...
....... ..... ... ....
.
.
....... ... . .. ............
.
..
......
....
...
.
C
.. ....... ... .. .. ......
.. .
............ ...... .
. .......
.. ...... ... ... ... ......
.... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Thus, the perimeter of 4AM N is 2. D
P

Note: Here the congruence 4P DM ª = 4M DN is obtained by rotating

4DCN to the position of 4DBP essentially.

Example 5. As shown in the figure, in 4ABC, D is the mid-point of BC,

\EDF = 90± , DE intersects AB at E and DF intersects AC at F . Prove
that
BE + CF > EF.

Solution In this problem, for the comparison of BE + CF and EF it is

needed to move the segments BE, EF, CF together in a same triangle, and con-
structing congruent triangles can complete this task as follows.
Rotate 4DCF around D by 180± in clockwise direction, then
68 Lecture 11 Congruence of Triangles

.....
A
C ! B, F ! G. ..... ..
..
...... .....
.
.. ...
..... ...
..... ...
.....
Connect BG, EG, GD. Since BG = CF and ..
....
..
..... ...
...
...
...
GD = DF , we have .
..
..
..
...
..
..
.. ...
...
...

.
..
.
.
...
. E
.
.....
..........
...
...
...
.
...... ....................
. ..
4EDG ª
= 4EDF, (S.S.), .. .
..
..
.
. ..
.
..
.... ...
.. ...
.
.
..................
... .................. ....
.. ............. F
.. . .
..... ..
..... . ...
...... ....
..... .. ...
......
...
...... ... ...
.. .
. ......... ...
...
. ... . .
hence ..
...... .. ........... ............ ...
..
... .. ... ........ .
...................................................................................................................................
... .
.. .. .. ..
B ..
.. ..
..
....
.....
. .
D C
.. .. ........
EF = EG < BE + BG = BE + CF. .. .. ......
.......

Example 6. (CHINA/1999) Given that 4ABC is a right-angled isosceles triangle

with \ACB = 90± . D is the mid-point of BC, CE is perpendicular to AD,
intersecting AB and AD at E and F respectively. Prove that \CDF = \BDE.
Solution It is inconvenient to compare
\CDF and \BDE directly. To change the C
position of \CDF , suppose that the perpen- ..
..
.......
..... ......
.... ......................
.... ... ......
dicular line from B to BC intersects the line ....
....
.... ... ......
... .....
. .
..... ... .....
F
..... D
CE at G. Since AC = CB, ..
. .
...
..
...
.....
.. ... ...
...
.
..
..
..... .... ..........................
.. .........
.
... ....... . ...
.... .......... ... .... .....
........ ..................
. .
. .
.
.....
.....
.. .............. ... .
\CAD = \BCG = 90± ° \ACF, .. ...
.............. ..... . .....
..........................................................................................................................................
. .
.. ...
4ACD ª= 4CBG (S.A.), A ..
.. ...
... E
.
..
B
.. ...
) \CDF = \BGC = \BGE. .. .....
......

* BD = CD = BG and \DBE = \GBE = 45± , G

) 4BGE ª
= 4BDE (S.A.S.), hence ) \CDF = \BGE = \BDE.

Example 7. (CHINA/1992) In the square ABCD, E is the midpoint of AD, BD

and CE intersect at F . Prove that AF ? BE.

Solution Let G be the point of intersection A.................................................................E

......................................................................D
.. .. .
... ........ .. ... .... ..
....... ... .... .... ..
of AF and BE. It suffices to show ...
...
...
........
........
........ ....
.. ...
... .
......
..... ....
...
... .......... ... ..... ...
. ......... ..... ...
...
... G .
.
..
. .
.
...
....... ... ....
........... .....
.
....
...
...
\EAG = \ABG. ...
...
... ....
.
...
.
. ...
.
..
.. ....
.
....
........ F ...
...
... . . .... . ...
. .... .... ...
... ... .
....
. ... ...
... .. ..
.
... .. ...
. ... ...
By symmetry we have ...
... .
.
...
.
.
....
. .. ......
.
.. ...
.
....
...
...
... ... ..
. ... ...
... . .... ... ...
.
. ....
... ... ...
. ... ...
... .... ........ ... ...
4ABE ª
= 4DCE, 4ADF ª
= 4CDF, ... . ....
... ... ..... .
.
.
. . ..... ....
... ..
... .. ...... ... ...
... ......... ... ...
............ .....
.......................................................................................................................
therefore \EAG = \DCF = \ABG. B C
 Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad 69

Example 8. (CHINA/1992, 1993) In the graph, triangles ABD and BEC are
both equilateral with a, b, c being collinear, M and N are midpoints of AE and
CD respectively, AE intersects BD at G and CD intersects BE at H. Prove that
(i) 4M BN is equilateral, (ii) GH k AC.

Solution (i) From AB = BD, BE = BC, \ABE = \DBC = 120±

4ABE ª
= 4DBC (S.A.S.),
) \M AB = \N DB, M A = N D, D
...
............
..... ..............
... ... ......
... ......
...
which implies 4M AB ª
= 4N DB (S.A.S.). .
....
... ......
...
... ..........
..

.
..
...
.
... ...
..
...
.....
.....
..
N E .
...
. ... ...................................................
) M B = N B and \ABM = \DBN .
...
...
.
M ..
...
........ .
........... ....
......... ............ ...... .. ...
....................... ..... ... ...........
... . ..H
..... ..... ...
...
.

\M BN = \M BD + \ABM = \ABD .. .. . ...

.................... G
..................... .. ..... .... .... .. .......... .....
......... ... ... ... ..
...... ... .. .. .
..... ..
..... ...
.. ......... .......
... .......... . .............. . .
.............................................................................................................................................................
= 60± , =) 4M BN is equilateral.
A S B T C
(ii) From G, H introduce GS ? AC at S and HT ? AC at T respectively. Since

\GBA = \ECA = \HBC = \DAC = 60± =) GB k CE, HB k AD,

AB BC
=) GB = · CE, HB = · AD =) GB = HB.
AC AC
Since \GBS = \HBT = 60± , so Rt4GBS ª
= Rt4HBT (S.A.). Thus, GS =
HT , i.e. GH k AC.

Testing Questions (A)

1. In 4ABC, \ACB = 60± , \BAC = 75± , AD ? BC at D, BE ? AC at

E, AD intersects BE at H. Find \CHD in degrees.

2. 4ABC is equilateral, D is an inner point of 4ABC and P is a point outside

4ABC such that AD = BD, AB = BP , and BD bisects \CBP . Find
\BP D.

3. Given that the side of the square ABCD is 1, points P and Q are on AB and
AD respectively, such that the perimeter of 4AP Q is 2. Find \P CQ in
degrees by use of congruence of triangles.

4. ABCD is a square, E and F are the midpoints of the sides AB and BC

respectively. If M is the point of intersection of CE and DF , prove that
AM = AD.
70 Lecture 11 Congruence of Triangles

5. ABCD is a trapezium with AD k BC, \ABC = \BAD = 90± , and

1
DE = EC = BC. Prove that \DAE = \AEC.
3
6. (MOSCOW/1952) In an isosceles triangle ABC, AB = BC, \B = 20± .
M, N are on AB and BC respectively such that \M CA = 60± , \N AC =
50± . Find \N M C in degrees.
7. Given that 4ABC is an isosceles right triangle with AC = BC and \ACB =
90± . D is a point on AC and E is on the extension of BD such that
1
AE ? BE. If AE = BD, prove that BD bisects \ABC.
2
8. (CHINA/1999) In the square ABCD, AB = 8, Q is the midpoint of the side
CD. Let \DAQ = Æ. On CD take a point P such that \BAP = 2Æ. If
AP = 10, find CP .
9. (CHINA/1992) In the pentagon ABCDE, \ABC = \AED = 90± , AB =
CD = AE = BC + DE = 1. Find the area of ABCDE.
10. (NORTH EUROPE/2003) D is an inner point of an equilateral 4ABC sat-
isfying \ADC = 150± . Prove that the triangle formed by taking the seg-
ments AD, BD, CD as its three sides is a right triangle.

Testing Questions (B)

1. (CHINA/1996) Given that the segment BD is on a line `. On one side of `

take a point C and construct two squares ABCK and CDEF respectively
outside the 4CBD. Let M be the midpoint of the segment AE, prove that
the position of M is independent of the choice of the position of C.
2. (CHINA/1998) In Rt4ABC, \C = 90± , CD ? AB at D, AF bisects \A,
intersects CD and CB at E and F respectively. If EG is parallel to AB,
intersecting CB at G, prove that CF = GB.
3. (CHINA/1994) In 4ABC, AC = 2AB and \A = 2\C. Prove that AB ?
BC.
4. (CHINA/2000) In a given quadrilateral ABCD, AB = AD, \BAD =
60± , \BCD = 120± . Prove that BC + DC = AC.
5. In 4ABC, \ABC = \ACB = 80± . The point P is on AB such that
\BP C = 30± . Prove that AP = BC.