# Thread: Find Area of Right Triangle

1. ## Find Area of Right Triangle

Right triangle, where one of the legs equals 10, the bisector of the opposite angle cuts the leg into the ratio of 2:3. Find the area of the triangle.

2. Hello, magentarita!

In a right triangle, where one of the legs equals 10,
the bisector of the opposite angle cuts the leg into the ratio of 2:3.
Find the area of the triangle.

This problem requires a seldom-used theorem about angle bisectors.

In a triangle, the angle bisector of an angle divides the opposite side
. . into segments proportional to the other two sides.

Code:
              B
*
*  *  2a
*     *
2 *        *   D
*           *
*        *     *  3a
*     *           *
*  *                 *
A *   *   *   *   *   *   *  C
3
Suppose we have $\Delta ABC$ with $AB = 2,\:AC = 3$

If $AD$ bisects $\angle A$, then $BD:DC \,=\,2:3$

We have the following right triangle . . .
Code:
                          B
o   -
* *   |
*   *   |
*   3 *   |
3a  *       *   10
*         o D |
*       *   *   |
*     *       *   |
*   *         2 *   |
* *               *   |
A o   *   *   *   *   o   -
2a        C

We are given: . $BC = 10$
$AD$ bisects $\angle A$ and divides $BC$ in the ratio 2:3.

Hence, $AC:AB \,=\,2:3$

Let: $AC = 2a,\;AB = 3a$

Using Pythagorus, we have: . $(2a)^2 + 10^2 \:=\:(3a)^2$

Then: . $4a^2 + 100 \:=\:9a^2\quad\Rightarrow\quad 5a^2 \:=\:100 \quad\Rightarrow\quad a^2 \:=\:20$

. . Hence: . $a \:=\:\sqrt{20} \:=\:2\sqrt{5}$

So we have: . $AC \:=\:2a \:=\:4\sqrt{5}$

The area of the triangle is: . $\tfrac{1}{2}\text{(base)(height)} \:=\: \tfrac{1}{2}(4\sqrt{5})(10) \;=\; 20\sqrt{5}$

3. Just out of curiousity , is there a name for this theorem and is there a proof for this theorem . THanks .

4. ## Soroban...

Originally Posted by Soroban
Hello, magentarita!

This problem requires a seldom-used theorem about angle bisectors.

In a triangle, the angle bisector of an angle divides the opposite side
. . into segments proportional to the other two sides.
Code:
              B
*
*  *  2a
*     *
2 *        *   D
*           *
*        *     *  3a
*     *           *
*  *                 *
A *   *   *   *   *   *   *  C
3
Suppose we have $\Delta ABC$ with $AB = 2,\:AC = 3$

If $AD$ bisects $\angle A$, then $BDC \,=\,2:3" alt="BDC \,=\,2:3" />

We have the following right triangle . . .
Code:
                          B
o   -
* *   |
*   *   |
*   3 *   |
3a  *       *   10
*         o D |
*       *   *   |
*     *       *   |
*   *         2 *   |
* *               *   |
A o   *   *   *   *   o   -
2a        C
We are given: . $BC = 10$
$AD$ bisects $\angle A$ and divides $BC$ in the ratio 2:3.

Hence, $AC:AB \,=\,2:3$

Let: $AC = 2a,\;AB = 3a$

Using Pythagorus, we have: . $(2a)^2 + 10^2 \:=\3a)^2" alt="(2a)^2 + 10^2 \:=\3a)^2" />

Then: . $4a^2 + 100 \:=\:9a^2\quad\Rightarrow\quad 5a^2 \:=\:100 \quad\Rightarrow\quad a^2 \:=\:20$

. . Hence: . $a \:=\:\sqrt{20} \:=\:2\sqrt{5}$

So we have: . $AC \:=\:2a \:=\:4\sqrt{5}$

The area of the triangle is: . $\tfrac{1}{2}\text{(base)(height)} \:=\: \tfrac{1}{2}(4\sqrt{5})(10) \;=\; 20\sqrt{5}$
Wonderful job as usual. Thanks.