In trapezoid ABCD with BC∥AD, let BC=1000 and AD=2008. Let ∠A=37∘, ∠D=53∘, and M and N be the midpoints of BC and AD, respectively. Find the length MN.
解析
Solution
Solution 1
Extend AB and CD to meet at a point E. Then ∠AED=180−53−37=90∘.
As ∠AED=90∘, note that the midpoint of AD, N, is the center of the circumcircle of △AED. We can do the same with the circumcircle about △BEC and M (or we could apply the homothety to find ME in terms of NE). It follows that
For purposes of rigor we will show that E,M,N are collinear. Since BC∥AD, then BC and AD are homothetic with respect to point E by a ratio of ADBC=251125. Since the homothety carries the midpoint of BC, M, to the midpoint of AD, which is N, then E,M,N are collinear.
Solution 2
Let F,G,H be the feet of the perpendiculars from B,C,M onto AD, respectively. Let x=NH, so DG=1004−500−x=504−x and AF=1004−(500−x)=504+x. Also, let h=BF=CG=HM.
By AA~, we have that △AFB∼△CGD, and so
AFBF=CGDG⟺504+xh=h504−x⟹x2+h2=5042.
By the Pythagorean Theorem on △MHN,
MN2=x2+h2=5042,
so MN=504.
Solution 3
If you drop perpendiculars from B and C to AD, and call the points where they meet AD, E and F respectively, then FD=x and EA=1008−x , and so you can solve an equation in tangents. Since ∠A=37 and ∠D=53, you can solve the equation [by cross-multiplication]:
tan37×(1008−x)x(1008−x)=tan53×x=tan37tan53=cos53sin53×sin37cos37
However, we know that cos90−x=sinx and sin90−x=cosx are co-functions. Applying this,
x(1008−x)xsin253x(sin253+cos253)x=1008cos253=cos253sin253=1008cos253−xcos253=1008cos253⟹1008−x=1008sin253
Now, if we can find 1004−(EA+500), and the height of the trapezoid, we can create a right triangle and use the Pythagorean Theorem to find MN.
The leg of the right triangle along the horizontal is:
1004−1008sin253−500=504−1008sin253.
Now to find the other leg of the right triangle (also the height of the trapezoid), we can simplify the following expression:
tan37×1008sin253=tan37×1008cos237=1008cos37sin37=504sin74
Now we used Pythagorean Theorem and get that MN is equal to:
(1008sin253+500−1004)2+(504sin74)2=5041−2sin253+sin274
However, 1−2sin253=cos2106 and sin274=sin2106 so now we end up with:
504cos2106+sin2106=504.
Solution 4
Plot the trapezoid such that B=(1000cos37∘,0), C=(0,1000sin37∘), A=(2008cos37∘,0), and D=(0,2008sin37∘).
The midpoints of the requested sides are (500cos37∘,500sin37∘) and (1004cos37∘,1004sin37∘).
To find the distance from M to N, we simply apply the distance formula and the Pythagorean identity sin2x+cos2x=1 to get MN=504.
Solution 5
Similar to solution 1; Notice that it forms a right triangle. Remembering that the median to the hypotenuse is simply half the length of the hypotenuse, we quickly see that the length is 22008−21000=504.
Solution 6
Obviously, these angles are random--the only special thing about them is that they add up to 90. So we might as well let the given angles equal 45 and 45, and now the answer is trivially 504. (The trapezoid is isosceles, and you see two 45-45-90 triangles;from there you can get the answer.)
Solution 7
Let the height be h. Note that if NH=x then if we draw perpendiculars like in solution 1, FN=500−x,AF=504+x,HG=500,GD=504−x. Note that we wish to find MN=x2+h2. Let's find tan(53) in two ways. Finding tan(53) from △BAF yields tan(53)=h504+x. Finding it from △CDG yields 504−xh. Setting these equal yields
h504+x=504−xh→h2=5042−x2→x2+h2=5042=504
Solution 8
Rotate trapezoid MNCD 180 degrees around point N so that AN coincides with ND. Let the image of trapezoid MNCD be ANM′C′. Since angles are preserved during rotations, ∠BAC′=37∘+53∘=90∘. Since BM=CM=C′M′ and BM∣∣C′M′, BMM′C′ is a parallelogram. Thus, MM′=BC′. Let the point where BC′ intersects AD be E. Since BMNE is a parallelogram, AE=AN−BM=1004−500−504. Since BE=EC and ∠BAC=90∘, AE is a median to the hypotenuse of BAC′. Therefore, BC′=2AE=1008, and BE=MN=504.
Solution 9 (Also similar to Solution 1)
Draw line ME from point M parallel to CD that intersects AD. Draw MF from point M parallel to BA that intersects AD. Note that triangle EMF is a right triangle because ∠BAC′=90∘. EN has length DN−CM=1004−500=504 because CDEM is a parallelogram. Similarly, FN has length AN−BM=504 so N is the midpoint of the hypotenuse of right triangle EMF. The midpoint of the hypotenuse in a right triangle is equidistant from all three vertices, so MN=504.
Solution 10 (Lazy Solution/Guesstimation)
Drop perpendiculars on AD from B and C at X and Y
You can see XY=2008−1000=1008.
Let YD=a and MN=BX=CY=h.
Let AX=1008−a.
We will also get YCD=XAB=37°.
Observe that:
tan37∘=1008−ah=ha
Solving for h:
h=(a)(1008−a)
To obtain h from 0≤h≤999, only possible natural value of h is 504 when (1008−a)=a
Hence h=504
Note: You can also complete the square in the above equation and then see that the only solution is 504.