New Year Problem:

Welcome the New Year by solving the following problem in sev-

eral ways.
We have more than a dozen beautiful solutions of this problem.
If your solution is different from the collection of solutions we have,
you will be given A CASH PRIZE OF RS.100. Here we go.
In 4ABC, AB = AC and m∠A is 20. D is on AC such that
m∠DBC = 60 and E is on AB such that m∠ECB = 50.
Prove that m∠EDB = k = 30.
Important: Draw the figure to the scale. Note that, 4ABC is a
very thin triangle.

20

D
k
E

60 50
B C
We are giving hints to four different solutions of the new year prob-
lem. Construct the complete solutions.
Hint to Solution 1, Theme: Isosceles triangles leading to kite.
Construction: Let F ∈ AB such that ∠F CB = 60.
Let CF ∩ BD = {K}. Join EK, F D.
Hint to Solution 2, Theme: Locate 5 equal segments.
Construct F on AC such that m∠CBF = 20. Draw EF .
Hint to Solution 3, Theme: D is excenter of 4BEF .
Construct F on AC such that m∠DBF = 20 and D-F -C.
Draw EF .
Hint to Solution 4, Theme: Incenter
Lemma: In 4P QR, ∠P = 40, ∠60 and ∠R = 80.
Let I be the incenter of 4P QR. Then P I = QR · · ·(1)
Warning: Use the following hint only if you cannot prove (1) on
your own.
Hint to Lemma:
Choose K such that Q − I − K and m∠KP I = 60.
Final Hint: To solve the NYP consider incenter of 4DBC.
Hint to Solution 5 of NYP:
Construction - (i) Choose F such that B − C − F and BF = BD.
−→ −→
(ii) Extend AC to K such that AD = CK. (iii) Construct CQ such
−→ −→ −→
that CQ is the image of CA in line BC. (iv) Let BK ∩ CQ = {P }.
(v) Join F, D and F, K.
Caution: Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the
solution on your own.
(1) Find a triangle congruent to 4KDF . (2) F is the circumcenter
of 4BDK. (3) Find a triangle congruent to 4KCP .
Hint to Solution 6: Construction - (i) Let F be the foot of
−−→
altitude from A on CE. (ii) Choose G on F E such that AG is bi-
sector of ∠F AE. (iii) Let H be the foot of the perpendicular from
D on AB. (iv) Join G, H.
Caution: Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the
solution on your own.
(1) 4CAF is 30-60-90 triangle. (2) Find a 4 congruent to 4AF G.
Hint to Solution 7:
Construction:
(1) Choose F on AB such that DF k CB.
(2) Choose K on AB such that DK k CE.
(3) Draw CF .
(4) Let CF ∩ BA = {G}
Caution: Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the
solution on your own.
Hint: (1) F K = F D, (2) 4KAD ∼ = 4EBD.
Hint to solution 8 of NYP:
Construction:
(1) Extend BC to K such that CK = CA.
(2) Choose F on AB such that F D k BC.
Caution: Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the
solution on your own.
Hint:
(1) Theme: Show that DE bisects ∠F DB.
(2) Find the triangle similar to 4KAB.
Use the following notation.
BC = a, AB = AC = b, DA = DB = d, F D = x.
Hint to solution 9 of NYP:
Construction:
−−→
Extend BC to F such that BD = BF
Choose K on BA such that BK = BD. Draw KD and F D.
Caution:
Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the solution on
your own.
Hint: Find triangle congruent to 4DCF
Hint to Solution 10 of NYP:
Hint: No construction!! Really? Yes. What can be done?
Try to prove that 4EAC ∼ 4EBD by SAS theorem.
Notation: AB = AC = b, BC = a, BD = AD = d.
We must connect these numbers a, b, d.
Note that in 4DBC, ∠DBC = 60.
Use EP T for this special angle to relate a, b, d; say (I).
Note that in ∠DBC, ∠D = 40 and ∠C = 80.
Use H4 of L41 above to obtain one more relation between a, b, d;
say (II).
Caution: Use the following hint only if you cannot complete the
solution on your own.
Find value of a+b−d
d
from (I) and (II). Equate it to obtain (III).
Use (II) to replace d2 − a2 by ab − ad.