Comparing a lines inside a regular nonagon. How to show $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\left(1-\cos20^\circ\right)}} = \sqrt{2\left(1-\cos 140^\circ\right)}+1$

geometrytrigonometry

I am supposed to compare the value of $x$ with the value of $y+z$.

enter image description here

I've come to the point where I have:
$$x = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2\left(1-\cos20^\circ\right)}} \qquad y+z = \sqrt{2\left(1-\cos140^\circ\right)}+1$$
Checking with a calculator, both terms seems to be the same, so the relationship should be
$$\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\left(1-\cos20^\circ\right)}} = \sqrt{2\left(1-\cos 140^\circ\right)}+1 \quad\to\quad x = y+z$$

How do I prove the equation is valid using trigonometry? Or, is there another approach to compare the values of $x$, $y$, and $z$?

Best Answer

The key is to note that the angle between the segment $x$ and one of the sides of the nonagon is $60^\circ$. This allows us to construct an equilateral triangle, just like in the picture. Then we easily calculate that the two marked angles are equal to $40^\circ$ and by SAS the two triangles are congruent --- hence the orange segments are equal. This shows that $x=y+z$.