Q1.
Statement (short): ∆ABC and ∆DBC are two isosceles triangles on the same base BC with vertices A and D on the same side of BC. AD is extended to meet BC at P. Prove:
(i) ∆ABD ≅ ∆ACD.
(ii) ∆ABP ≅ ∆ACP.
(iii) AP bisects ∠A and ∠D.
(iv) AP is the perpendicular bisector of BC.
Solution.
(i) From the problem: and . In triangles and the three sides satisfy
So by SSS,
(ii) From (i) the congruence gives . Extend AD to P (so P lies on line AD). In triangles and :
-
(given),
-
(since and P is on the same line),
-
(common).
So by SAS,
(iii) From (ii) corresponding parts give and . Thus bisects . Because P lies on line AD, the same symmetry around line AP applied to the configuration with vertex shows also bisects
(iv) From (ii) we get . So is the midpoint of . Also is an angle-bisector of the top vertex and it joins the vertex line to the midpoint of the base; in such symmetric isosceles configuration the line of symmetry through the vertex is perpendicular to the base. Concretely, triangles and are congruent and give . Since and the two are equal, each is . Hence and it bisects . So is the perpendicular bisector of . ✔
Q2.
Statement: AD is an altitude of an isosceles triangle ABC with . Prove: (i) AD bisects BC. (ii) AD bisects ∠A.
Solution.
Given and . Consider triangles and .
-
(given),
-
(common),
-
.
So by RHS (right-angle, hypotenuse, side) congruence, . From congruence:
(i) Corresponding parts give , so bisects .
(ii) Corresponding angles at A give , so bisects
Q3.
Statement: and medians and satisfy (where is midpoint of and of ). Prove: (i) (ii)
Solution.
(i) Since and are midpoints,
Given so . Now compare triangles and :
-
(given),
-
(just shown),
-
(given).
Thus by SSS,
(ii) From (i) corresponding angles at and are equal: . In the full triangles and we have:
-
(given),
-
(given),
-
the included angle (because and lie on respectively giving the same full angle).
Hence by SAS,
Q4.
Statement: BE and CF are two equal altitudes of triangle ABC (so , , and ). Using RHS, prove ABC is isosceles.
Solution.
Look at right triangles and .
-
,
-
(given),
-
— actually the angle at A is common to both triangles.
We can use AAS or view each as right triangles with equal leg and equal acute angle. Using RHS-type reasoning: the right triangles have their hypotenuses and as the sides opposite the right angles, and the equal legs and correspond. From the congruence (RHS or AAS), . Therefore corresponding hypotenuses are equal: . So is isosceles. ✔
Q5.
Statement: ABC is isosceles with . Draw (P foot on BC). Prove .
Solution.
Consider triangles and . They are right-angled at (since ). Also:
-
(given),
-
(common),
-
each has a right angle.
So by RHS congruence, . Hence corresponding angles give
(This also shows the altitude from the apex in an isosceles triangle is simultaneously an angle-bisector and perpendicular bisector of the base.)
