A semicircle combined with a rectangle with 1:2 ratios for arcs, segments and areas

circlesgeometryrectangles

A semicircle and a rectangle are combined together as shown. AB =2. P is on the semicircle with arc ratio AP:BP = 1:2. Q is on AB with AQ:BQ = 1:2. The extension of PQ intersects DC at E and PE separates the whole combined shape into two parts, with the area ratio $S_{ADEP}:S_{PECB}=$ 1:2. What is DE?

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I've been given this question for homework for an online class and I can't seem to solve it. I know the lengths of $AQ$, $BQ$, arc $AP$ and arc $PB$, but I can't reduce the number of variables enough to be able to get an equation using the information about the areas to solve for DE.

Hints would be appreciated so much!

Best Answer

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We know from the given that $\angle POQ = 60$, OP = 1, AQ = $\frac 23$, QO = $\frac13$ and the areas [OPQ] = $\frac12$OP$\cdot$OQ$\>\sin60 = \frac{\sqrt3}{12}$,

$$[APQ]= [APO] -[OPQ] =\frac\pi6- \frac{\sqrt3}{12}$$ $$[AQDE]=\frac12\left(\frac23+x\right)y,\>\>\>\>\>\>\>[APBCD]=\frac\pi2+2y$$

Use the given [APDE]=$\frac12$[PECB] to establish the equation below for the unknowns $x$ and $y$,

$$\frac\pi6- \frac{\sqrt3}{12}+\frac12\left(\frac23+x\right)y=\frac13 \left(\frac\pi2+2y\right)$$

Simplify to get

$$6xy-\sqrt3=4y\tag{1}$$

Then, apply the cosine and sine rules for the triangle PQO to obtain $PQ=\frac{\sqrt7}{3}$ and then $\sin\alpha= \frac32\sqrt{\frac37}$. Recognize that $\tan\alpha =3\sqrt3 = \frac{y}{x-\frac23}$ to establish another equation for $x$ and $y$,

$$3\sqrt3 x-2\sqrt3=y\tag{2}$$

Now, solve (1) and (2) to obtain,

$$DE=x=\frac{4+\sqrt2}{6}$$