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Triangle ABC is a right triangle with right angle at A. Suppose AX is an altitude of the triangle, AY is an angle bisector of the triangle, and AZ is a median of the triangle, and angle XAY = 13 degrees. If X is on BY, then what is the measure of angle ZAC?

 Aug 3, 2017

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+9479 
+4

 

Since  AY  bisects the 90° angle...     m∠BAY  =  90° / 2  =  45°

 

So...     m∠BAX  =  45° - 13°  =  32°

 

And since there are 180° in triangle BAX...   m∠ABX  =  180° - 32° - 90°  =  58°

 

And since there are 180° in triangle ABC...   m∠BCA  =  180° - 58° - 90°  =  32°

 

Now..to show why triangle ACZ is isocelese....

Draw a line from  Z  to side  BA  that is parallel to AC.

Draw a line from  Z  to side  AC that is parallel to BA.

 

 

Since  Z is the midpoint of  BC,  BZ = ZC .

So we can be sure that triangle BJZ is congruent to triangle ZHC from the AAS rule.

 

And...  AH  =  JZ  =  HC

 

So.. we can be sure that triangle AHZ is congruent to triangle CHZ by the SAS rule.

 

Therefore...   m∠ACZ  =  m∠ZAC =  32°

 Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
 #1
avatar+9479 
+4
Best Answer

 

Since  AY  bisects the 90° angle...     m∠BAY  =  90° / 2  =  45°

 

So...     m∠BAX  =  45° - 13°  =  32°

 

And since there are 180° in triangle BAX...   m∠ABX  =  180° - 32° - 90°  =  58°

 

And since there are 180° in triangle ABC...   m∠BCA  =  180° - 58° - 90°  =  32°

 

Now..to show why triangle ACZ is isocelese....

Draw a line from  Z  to side  BA  that is parallel to AC.

Draw a line from  Z  to side  AC that is parallel to BA.

 

 

Since  Z is the midpoint of  BC,  BZ = ZC .

So we can be sure that triangle BJZ is congruent to triangle ZHC from the AAS rule.

 

And...  AH  =  JZ  =  HC

 

So.. we can be sure that triangle AHZ is congruent to triangle CHZ by the SAS rule.

 

Therefore...   m∠ACZ  =  m∠ZAC =  32°

hectictar Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
 #2
avatar+129852 
+3

 

Excellent thinking, hectictar....!!!!!....this one was a little tricky, for sure....!!!!!

 

Here's one more thought......dropping a perpendicular from Z to H on  AC means that  ZH is parallel to BA....and whenevever   a segment is drawn parallel to a base, it splits the sides of the  triangle into  equal ratios....that is.....CZ / BZ  =  CH / AH.....but since BZ  = CZ  [ because Z is the midpoint of BC ], then  AH  = CH

 

Then by SAS, triangle CHZ   is congruent to triangle AHZ.....and since you found that BCA  = 32°  = ZCH  =  ZAH  = ZAC

 

Obviously.....dropping that perpendicular as you did was the key to the whole thing.....not bad for a 'Bama fan....LOL!!!!

 

 

cool cool cool

 Aug 4, 2017
edited by CPhill  Aug 4, 2017
edited by CPhill  Aug 4, 2017
edited by CPhill  Aug 5, 2017
 #3
avatar+9479 
+4

Thanks CPhill! I'll have to remember that a line like that always splits those sides into equal ratios...

 

BTW....What does LSU have in common with a sand castle ????

 

...They both look good until the Tide rolls in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!    laughlaughlaughcool

hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
edited by hectictar  Aug 4, 2017
 #4
avatar+129852 
+2

 

LOL!!!!!!......we'll see......don't get too cocky....!!!!

 

 

 

cool cool cool

 Aug 4, 2017

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