ELEMENTARY AND BASIC CONSTRUCTIONS IN GEOMETRY

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6. Stages of Solving Construction Problems

 

 Problem 16.  Construct a triangle, given c, hc , mc.

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Analysis

Let the triangle ABC be the one we are looking for. AB = c, therefore the construction of the segment АB is done.

CH = hc , therefore the point C lies on a line parallel to AB and at a distance hc  from it.

CM = mc , therefore the point C lies on a circle with center in the midpoint of AB and radius mc.

Then C is the intersection point of the line and circle you constructed.

 

Construction

This is a Java Applet created using GeoGebra from www.geogebra.org - it looks like you don't have Java installed, please go to www.java.com

Use a button for the steps

View the construction protocol

 

Proof

 

 AB = c

C lies on the line g (or f) , therefore the altitude through the vertex C has length hc .

C lies on the circle k, therefore the median through the vertex C has length mc .

The triangle ABC is the one we are looking for.

 

Exploration

 

The points A and B are defined unequivocally.

Point С is the intersection point of lines and a circle.

If hc < mc, then the circle intersects each of these two lines in 2 points. Then the problem has 4 solutions.

If hc = mc, then the circle touches each line. Then the problem has 2 solutions.

If hc >mc, then the circle does not intersect the lines and the problem has no solution.

                     

 

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