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In triangle ABC, points N and M lie on sides AB and AC, respectively.Given AM = AN = BM = NC = BC, find m∠BAC.

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

36°

Explanation:

Please refer to the attached figure.

Triangles ANC, AMB, BCN, CBM are all isosceles by virtue of the given congruences. By symmetry, we also claim that ΔABC is isosceles (AB≅AC).

We aren't sure how their internal angles relate, but we can write a couple of equations.

Let x = m∠BAC, y = m∠BCN.

∠NCA = ∠NAC = ∠MBA = ∠MAB = x

∠BCM = ∠BMC = x +y

∠BMC = ∠MBA +∠MAB = 2x

So, we have ...

∠BMC = x +y = 2x ⇒ y = x

And the sum of angles around ΔABC is ...

x +(2x) +(2x) = 180°

x = 180°/5 = 36°

The measure of angle BAC is 36°.

In triangle ABC, points N and M lie on sides AB and AC, respectively.Given AM = AN-example-1
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