Isosceles Triangle and Ratio of Altitudes

CAT 2023 Slot 3 · Quantitative Ability · Medium · Geometry

Let ΔABC\Delta ABC be an isosceles triangle such that ABAB and ACAC are of equal length. ADAD is the altitude from AA on BCBC and BEBE is the altitude from BB on ACAC. If ADAD and BEBE intersect at OO such that ∠AOB=105∘\angle AOB = 105^\circ, then ADBE\frac{AD}{BE} equals

  1. A.

    2sin⁡15∘2\sin 15^\circ

  2. B.

    cos⁡15∘\cos 15^\circ

  3. C.

    2cos⁡15∘2\cos 15^\circ

  4. D.

    sin⁡15∘\sin 15^\circ

Answer

C

Explanation

In ΔABC\Delta ABC, AB=ACAB = AC, AD⊥BCAD \perp BC, and BE⊥ACBE \perp AC. ADAD bisects ∠A\angle A and BCBC.

In ΔAOB\Delta AOB, ∠AOB=105∘  ⟹  ∠BOD=180∘−105∘=75∘\angle AOB = 105^\circ \implies \angle BOD = 180^\circ - 105^\circ = 75^\circ. In right triangle BODBOD (with ∠BDO=90∘\angle BDO = 90^\circ): ∠OBD=90∘−75∘=15∘\angle OBD = 90^\circ - 75^\circ = 15^\circ

So base angle C=B=90∘−15∘=75∘C = B = 90^\circ - 15^\circ = 75^\circ. Then ∠A=180∘−2(75∘)=30∘\angle A = 180^\circ - 2(75^\circ) = 30^\circ.

Comparing area representations of ΔABC\Delta ABC: Area=12⋅BC⋅AD=12⋅AC⋅BE  ⟹  ADBE=ACBC\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot BC \cdot AD = \frac{1}{2} \cdot AC \cdot BE \implies \frac{AD}{BE} = \frac{AC}{BC}

By Sine Rule in ΔABC\Delta ABC: ACsin⁡B=BCsin⁡A  ⟹  ACBC=sin⁡75∘sin⁡30∘=cos⁡15∘1/2=2cos⁡15∘\frac{AC}{\sin B} = \frac{BC}{\sin A} \implies \frac{AC}{BC} = \frac{\sin 75^\circ}{\sin 30^\circ} = \frac{\cos 15^\circ}{1/2} = 2\cos 15^\circ

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