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math challenge II-A geometry 5.27

 
 
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math challenge II-A geometry 5.27
by Zeyin Wu - Thursday, October 21, 2021, 4:15 AM
 

A: y=cbxacb and C: y=abxacb.
I don't understand these ratios. I can't see another colon after A:y and C:y.

 
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Re: math challenge II-A geometry 5.27
by John Lensmire - Thursday, October 21, 2021, 11:27 AM
 

These are the equations for the altitudes from the points $A$ and $C$ respectively, not ratios. Sorry for the confusion.

For example, to find the altitude from $A$, first note that the slope of $\overline{BC}$ is $- \dfrac{b}{c}$. Therefore, the altitude from $A$ is given by the line through $(a,0)$ with slope $\dfrac{c}{b}$:$$(y-0) = \frac{c}{b} (x - a) \Rightarrow y = \frac{c}{b}x - \frac{ac}{b}.$$A similar calculation gives the altitude from $C$.

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回复: Re: math challenge II-A geometry 5.27
by Zeyin Wu - Thursday, October 21, 2021, 7:01 PM
 

Thanks! I now understand. line BC has slope -b/c and it intersects the altitude of A, the two lines are perpendicular so the slope of A's altitude is cx/b.