In triangle ABC, BC = 20 * sqrt(3) and angle C = 30 degrees. Let the perpendicular bisector of BC intersect BC and AC at D and E, respectively. Find the length of DE.
5 answers
CDE is a 30-60-90 right triangle with ∠C=30, so DE = 15.
Steve, I believe you are wrong.
nope sorry it was me
We have that $D$ is the midpoint of $BC$, and that $CD = BC/2 = 20 \sqrt{3}/2 = 10 \sqrt{3}$.
[asy]
unitsize(3 cm);
pair A, B, C, D, E;
A = dir(133);
B = dir(193);
C = dir(-13);
D = (B + C)/2;
E = extension(A, C, D, D + rotate(90)*(B - C));
draw(A--B--C--cycle);
draw(D--E);
label("$A$", A, N);
label("$B$", B, SW);
label("$C$", C, SE);
label("$D$", D, S);
label("$E$", E, NE);
[/asy]
Also, triangle $CED$ is a $30^\circ$-$60^\circ$-$90^\circ$ triangle, so $DE = CD/\sqrt{3} = 10 \sqrt{3}/\sqrt{3} = \boxed{10}$.
[asy]
unitsize(3 cm);
pair A, B, C, D, E;
A = dir(133);
B = dir(193);
C = dir(-13);
D = (B + C)/2;
E = extension(A, C, D, D + rotate(90)*(B - C));
draw(A--B--C--cycle);
draw(D--E);
label("$A$", A, N);
label("$B$", B, SW);
label("$C$", C, SE);
label("$D$", D, S);
label("$E$", E, NE);
[/asy]
Also, triangle $CED$ is a $30^\circ$-$60^\circ$-$90^\circ$ triangle, so $DE = CD/\sqrt{3} = 10 \sqrt{3}/\sqrt{3} = \boxed{10}$.
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