Application of mid-point theorem

2.4k Views Asked by At

Consider convex quadrilateral $ABCD$. Let there be a point $P$ in the interior of the quadrilateral such that $PA = PB$ and $PC = PD$.

$K,L, M$ are the mid-points of $AB , BC , CD$ respectively. Prove that $\angle APB = 120^{\circ}$ if triangle $KLM$ is equilateral.

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

In Fig. 1, we let N be the constructed midpoint of AD. enter image description here

By midpoint theorem, $2KL = AC= 2MN\tag 1$

Similarly, $2NK = BD = 2ML\tag 2$

Therefore, $KLMN$ is a parallelogram $\tag 3$

Because $\triangle KLM$ is equilateral, $KL = LM = MK\tag 4$

[(3), (4)] $\implies KLMN$ is a rhombus$\tag 5$

[(1), (2), (5)] $\implies AC = BD\tag 6$

Also, [(4), (5) $\implies \angle NKL = 120^\circ\tag 7$

In Figure 2, we add in the lines $PA$, $PB$, $PC$, $PD$. And, let $AC$ intersect $BD$ at $Q$.

enter image description here

In $\triangle PAC$ and $\triangle PBD$, $PA = PB$ (given), $PC = PD$ (given), $AC = BD$ (proved in (6))

Therefore, $\triangle PAC$ and $\triangle PBD$ are congruent.

Then, $\angle PAC = \angle PBD$

In Fig. 3, from the above, $P$, $A$, $B$, $Q$ are con-cyclic.

By angles in the same segment, $\angle APB = \angle AQB$

But $\angle AQB$ can be proved to be equal to $\angle NKL$ (through a series of parallel lines).

By (7), $\angle APB = 120^\circ$