15-75-90 Triangle Problems

Luv Udeshi

1 Introduction
Before we dive into the problems, we quickly present some important theory. (NOTE: The material presented
here is absolutely NOT enough to solve most of these problems). It is just to give a quick introduction to
15-75-90 triangles.
Identity 1.1 (Ratio of Sides). In a 15 − 75 − 90 triangles, the sides are in a ratio of
√ √ √
3 − 1 : 3 + 1 : 2 2.

Identity 1.2 (Sines and Cosines). We have

√ √
◦ ◦6− 2
sin 15 = cos 75 =
4
and √ √
2+ 6
sin 75◦ = cos 15◦ =
4

Identity 1.3 (Tangents). We have √

tan 15◦ = 2 − 3
and √
tan 75◦ = 2 + 3

2 Problems
Below are some problems involving 15 − 75 − 90 right triangles. Clicking the source will lead you to the AoPS
thread. Enjoy!
Problem 2.1 (2012 Russian VII Southern Tournament). Point M is the midpoint of the hypotenuse AB of
a right triangle ABC where angle A is 15o . Point K is marked on the leg AC such that KM = BC and
angle AM K is obtuse. Find the angles of triangle KBC.

Problem 2.2 (Moldova MO 2009). Triangle ABC with AB = 10 cm ¸and ∠C = 15o , is right at B. Point
D ∈ (AC) is the foot of the altitude taken from B. Find the distance from point D to the line AB.
Problem 2.3 (2014 Russian IX Southern Tournament). In right triangle ABC, on hypotenuse AB and leg
AC, points L and K are chosen, respectively, such that KL = 2CK and ∠BKL = 90o . Find ∠BKC if you
know that ∠BAC = 15o .

Problem 2.4 (Moldova MO 2014). Let the right triangle ABC with ∠BAC = 90o and ∠BCA = 15o . On
the leg (AC) and on hypotenuse (BC), points D and E are taken respectively such that ∠BDE = 90o and
DE = 2AD. Find the measure of the angle ADB.

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Luv Udeshi 2 Problems

Problem 2.5 (2011 Argentina OMA). Let ABC be a triangle with ∠A = 90o , ∠B = 75o and AB = 2. The
points P and Q on the sides AC and BC respectively are such that ∠AP B = ∠CP Q and ∠BQA = ∠CQP .
Calculate the measurement of the segment QA.
Problem 2.6 (2016 PUMaC Team). Temerant is a spherical planet with radius 1000 kilometers. The
government wants to build twelve towers of the same height on the equator of Temerant, so that every point
on the equator can be seen√from √ at least one tower. The minimum possible height of the towers can be
written, in kilometers, as a b − c d − e for positive integers a, b, c, d, and e (with b and d not divisible by
the square of any prime). Compute a + b + c + d + e.
Problem 2.7 (Malaysia IMONST). In a triangle, the ratio of the interior angles is 1 : 5 : 6, and the longest
side has length 12. What is the length of the altitude (height) of the triangle that is perpendicular to the
longest side?

Problem 2.8 (2021 Fall AMC 12A). In the figure, equilateral hexagon ABCDEF √ has three nonadjacent
acute interior angles that each measure 30◦ . The enclosed area of the hexagon is 6 3. What is the perimeter
of the hexagon?

Problem 2.9 (NICE Fall 2021). Two unit equilateral trianglespand a unit square are placed in the overlap
√
of two circles of radius r as shown. If r can be expressed as a + b for positive integers a and b, find
1000a + b.

Problem 2.10 (2021 CMC 10B). An equilateral triangle is inscribed in another equilateral triangle as in the
diagram below. If the side
√
length of the outer equilateral triangle is 1, the side length of the inner triangle
√
can be represented as a− c
b
for positive integers a, b, and c such that a and b are square free. What is
a + b + c?
Problem 2.11 (2001 AMC 12). In △ABC, ∠ABC = 45◦ . Point D is on BC so that 2 · BD = CD and
∠DAB = 15◦ . Find ∠ACB.

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Luv Udeshi 2 Problems

Problem 2.12 (MWMT Year 4). Points P and Q lie respectively on sides BC and CD of square ABCD
such that △AP Q is equilateral. The circumcircle of △AP Q intersects BC and CD at points R and S, where
P ̸= R and Q ̸= S. If the area of ABCD is 3, compute the area of pentagon AP RSQ.
Problem 2.13 (OTSS Sample Problem). Equilateral triangle AM C and unit square AIM E are constructed
such that E is closer to C than I is. Let O be the center of the smallest circle that contains AIM C and J
be where AE and M C intersect. The area of triangle JM O multiplied by 100 is N . Find ⌊N ⌋, if ⌊k⌋ is the
largest integer less than k.
Problem 2.14 (2015 AMC 10A). The isosceles right triangle ABC has right angle at C and area 12.5. The
rays trisecting ∠ACB intersect AB at D and E. What is the area of △CDE?
√
Problem √ 2.15 (2021 JMAMC 10). Let ABC be a right triangle with right angle at B, and AB = 3 − 1 and
BC = 3 + 1. The angle bisector of ∠ABC intersects AC at D. The angle bisector of ∠ADB intersects AB
at E and the angle bisector of ∠CDB intersects BC at F . The circumcircle of triangle
√ √
BEF intersects AC
a b−c d
at two distinct points. The distance between these two points can be written as e for positive integers
a, b, c, d, and e where gcd (a, c, e) = 1 and b and d do not contain a square divisor. What is a + b + c + d + e?

Problem 2.16 (AoPS Forums). Three unit circles ω1 , ω2 , and ω3 in the plane have the property that each
circle passes through the centers of the other two. A square S surrounds the three circles in such a way that
each of its four sides is tangent to at least one of ω1 , ω2 and ω3 . Find the side length of the square S.