Smallest Triangular Portion From A Square Lot

Date of Exam

Problem
A farmer owned a square field measuring exactly 2261 m on each side. 1898 m from one corner and 1009 m from an adjacent corner stands Narra tree. A neighbor offered to purchase a triangular portion of the field stipulating that a fence should be erected in a straight line from one side of the field to an adjacent side so that the Narra tree was part of the fence. The farmer accepted the offer but made sure that the triangular portion was a minimum area. What was the area of the field the neighbor received and how long was the fence? Hint: Use the Cosine Law.

A.   A = 972,325 m2 and L = 2,236 m
B.   A = 950,160 m2 and L = 2,122 m
C.   A = 946,350 m2 and L = 2,495 m
D.   A = 939,120 m2 and L = 2,018 m

 

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Solution