Thread: Interesting Problem

The unit square ABCD where A(1,0), B(1,1), C(2,1), D(2,0)

i) A line, l , passing through the origin with gradient m, cuts the sides AB and CD at P and Q respectively
is the answer to this part


i am unsure on how to approach these two parts any help would be most appreciated.
ii) For what value(s) of m does the line, l, divide the area of the square in the ratio 2:1??

iii) Another like, k, passes through the origin with gradient, n, and cuts the square through the sides AB and Bc at S and T respectively.

Show that it is not possible for k to divide the area of the square in the ratio 2:1

Thanks Nath

Originally Posted by nath_quam

The unit square ABCD where A(1,0), B(1,1), C(2,1), D(2,0)

i) A line, l , passing through the origin with gradient m, cuts the sides AB and CD at P and Q respectively
is the answer to this part

Here is first.
Let the coordinates of P be (1,a) and Q be (2,b).Let O be the origin.
m is the slope.

it gives
Since B lies on CD
Hence

Originally Posted by nath_quam

The unit square ABCD where A(1,0), B(1,1), C(2,1), D(2,0)

i) A line, l , passing through the origin with gradient m, cuts the sides AB and CD at P and Q respectively
is the answer to this part


i am unsure on how to approach these two parts any help would be most appreciated.
ii) For what value(s) of m does the line, l, divide the area of the square in the ratio 2:1??

I will continue with the notation of the previous post.
Let the area of trapezium ADQP be x
Then there are two cases:


From the diagram,
Hence values of slope are

Keep Smiling
Malay

Thanks Malay i am understanding any idea on the last?

Originally Posted by nath_quam

The unit square ABCD where A(1,0), B(1,1), C(2,1), D(2,0)

iii) Another like, k, passes through the origin with gradient, n, and cuts the square through the sides AB and Bc at S and T respectively.

Show that it is not possible for k to divide the area of the square in the ratio 2:1

Join O and C.
The square is divided into two parts.
Area of the smaller part(containing the vertex B) is 1/4.
Now if the line passes through AB and BC, the triangle formed by it has area less than 1/4. But for the ratio to be 2:1, it has to be either 1/3 or 2/3(see previous post), which is not possible since 1/3>1/4 and 2/3 >1/4.

Keep Smiling
Malay

Originally Posted by malaygoel

From the diagram,
Hence values of slope are

Keep Smiling
Malay

i get sorta lost here u jump steps too quickly would u be able to explain it

Originally Posted by nath_quam

i get sorta lost here u jump steps too quickly would u be able to explain it

I used two equations of the previous post.
b=2a
and m=a

Keep Smiling
Malay

Originally Posted by malaygoel

Here is first.
Let the coordinates of P be (1,a) and Q be (2,b).Let O be the origin.
m is the slope.

it gives
Since B lies on CD
Hence

and also greater than zero??

Originally Posted by nath_quam

and also greater than zero??

Yes.
You could see it this way also: Line rises towards right, hence it has a positive slope. It cannot be zero because it will imply that line doesn't rise towards right.

Keep Smiling
Malay

Show that it is not possible for k to divide the area of the square in the ratio 2:1

Hi:

If the line passes through side(BC), then its slope must be greater than 1/2. But, as Malay has demonstrated, the slope must have value 2/9 or 4/9, neither of which is greater 1/2.

Regards,

Rich B.