The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0068)


Problem

In an acute triangle $ABC$, let $∠B=2∠C$ and $AH⊥BC$. When $AB$ is extended to $D$ so that $BD=BH$, the extension of $DH$ passes through the midpoint $M$ of $AC$.


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Solution

If $∠C=θ$, then

$$∠B=2θ.$$

Since $BD=BH$, the triangle $BDH$ is an isosceles triangle with $B$ as the vertex, and since the exterior angle of $∠HBD$ is $2θ$,

$$∠BDH=∠BHD=θ,$$

$$∴ \ ∠MHC=θ.$$

Therefore, since the triangle $MCH$ is an isosceles triangle with $M$ as the vertex,

$$MC=MH. \qquad [1]$$

Regarding the triangle $MAH$,

$$∠HMA=2θ \qquad and \qquad ∠MHA=∠R-θ,$$

$$∴ \ ∠MAH=2∠R-2θ-(∠R-θ)=∠R-θ.$$

Therefore, since the triangle $MAH$ is an isosceles triangle with $M$ as the vertex,

$$MA=MH. \qquad [2]$$

From $[1]$ and $[2]$,

$$MA=MC.$$

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Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.17