Math Problem Statement

In triangle ( ABC ), ( \angle A = 45^\circ ), ( \angle B = 60^\circ ), and ( AB = 5 ) units. Point ( P ) is on side ( BC ) such that ( \frac{BP}{PC} = \frac{1}{2} ). If the length of ( AP ) can be expressed as a rational expression with a fractional exponent, find the value of ( AP^6 ).

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to break it down step by step, using trigonometry and the properties of triangles.

Step 1: Find the third angle of the triangle.

We know the sum of the angles in a triangle is always 180180^\circ. Therefore, angle CC can be found as follows: C=180AB=1804560=75.\angle C = 180^\circ - \angle A - \angle B = 180^\circ - 45^\circ - 60^\circ = 75^\circ.

Step 2: Use the Law of Sines to find side lengths.

The Law of Sines states: ABsinC=BCsinA=ACsinB.\frac{AB}{\sin C} = \frac{BC}{\sin A} = \frac{AC}{\sin B}. We are given that AB=5AB = 5, and we know the angles A=45A = 45^\circ, B=60B = 60^\circ, and C=75C = 75^\circ.

Using the Law of Sines to find BCBC and ACAC:

ABsinC=BCsinA5sin75=BCsin45.\frac{AB}{\sin C} = \frac{BC}{\sin A} \quad \Rightarrow \quad \frac{5}{\sin 75^\circ} = \frac{BC}{\sin 45^\circ}.

Since sin45=22\sin 45^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}, this becomes: 5sin75=BC22BC=522sin75.\frac{5}{\sin 75^\circ} = \frac{BC}{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}} \quad \Rightarrow \quad BC = \frac{5 \cdot \sqrt{2}}{2 \cdot \sin 75^\circ}.

Using a calculator or known values, sin750.9659\sin 75^\circ \approx 0.9659, so: BC5220.965951.4141.93187.071.93183.66units.BC \approx \frac{5 \cdot \sqrt{2}}{2 \cdot 0.9659} \approx \frac{5 \cdot 1.414}{1.9318} \approx \frac{7.07}{1.9318} \approx 3.66 \, \text{units}.

Now, use the Law of Sines to find ACAC:

ABsinC=ACsinB5sin75=ACsin60.\frac{AB}{\sin C} = \frac{AC}{\sin B} \quad \Rightarrow \quad \frac{5}{\sin 75^\circ} = \frac{AC}{\sin 60^\circ}.

Since sin60=32\sin 60^\circ = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}, this becomes: 5sin75=AC32AC=532sin75.\frac{5}{\sin 75^\circ} = \frac{AC}{\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}} \quad \Rightarrow \quad AC = \frac{5 \cdot \sqrt{3}}{2 \cdot \sin 75^\circ}.

Substituting the value for sin75\sin 75^\circ, we get: AC51.73220.96598.661.93184.48units.AC \approx \frac{5 \cdot 1.732}{2 \cdot 0.9659} \approx \frac{8.66}{1.9318} \approx 4.48 \, \text{units}.

Step 3: Apply the section formula for APAP.

We are told that point PP divides side BCBC such that BPPC=12\frac{BP}{PC} = \frac{1}{2}. This means PP divides BCBC in a 1:2 ratio, so:

BPPC=12BP=BC3,PC=2BC3.\frac{BP}{PC} = \frac{1}{2} \quad \Rightarrow \quad BP = \frac{BC}{3}, \quad PC = \frac{2BC}{3}.

Now, using the section formula for the length APAP, we can express the length of APAP as:

AP2=AB2PC+AC2BPBC.AP^2 = \frac{AB^2 \cdot PC + AC^2 \cdot BP}{BC}.

Substituting the values we have:

AP2=522BC3+4.482BC3BC.AP^2 = \frac{5^2 \cdot \frac{2BC}{3} + 4.48^2 \cdot \frac{BC}{3}}{BC}.

Simplifying:

AP2=2523BC+20.0613BCBC.AP^2 = \frac{25 \cdot \frac{2}{3} \cdot BC + 20.06 \cdot \frac{1}{3} \cdot BC}{BC}.

Factoring out BCBC and simplifying:

AP2=BC3(50+20.06)=BC370.06.AP^2 = \frac{BC}{3} \left( 50 + 20.06 \right) = \frac{BC}{3} \cdot 70.06.

Since BC3.66BC \approx 3.66, we get:

AP23.66370.061.2270.0685.47.AP^2 \approx \frac{3.66}{3} \cdot 70.06 \approx 1.22 \cdot 70.06 \approx 85.47.

Therefore, AP85.479.25AP \approx \sqrt{85.47} \approx 9.25.

Step 4: Find AP6AP^6.

Finally, we need to find AP6AP^6:

AP6=(9.25)67375.46.AP^6 = (9.25)^6 \approx 7375.46.

Thus, the value of AP6AP^6 is approximately 7375.46.

Would you like any more details or clarifications on any of the steps? Here are some related questions to explore further:

  1. How does the Law of Sines work in non-right triangles?
  2. What is the section formula and how can it be applied in different situations?
  3. How can trigonometric identities help simplify expressions in triangle problems?
  4. What are other methods to solve for distances in triangles, such as using the Law of Cosines?
  5. How do fractional exponents relate to rational expressions in geometry?

Tip: When solving triangle problems, always try to visualize the situation and break it down into smaller steps, especially using laws like the Law of Sines and Law of Cosines!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Law of Sines
Section Formula
Fractional Exponents

Formulas

Law of Sines: (AB / sin C) = (BC / sin A) = (AC / sin B)
Section Formula for AP^2: AP^2 = (AB^2 * PC + AC^2 * BP) / BC

Theorems

Law of Sines
Section Formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12