Problem

Problem

An isosceles triangle is formed with a rod of length l1l_1 and coefficient of linear expansion α1\alpha_1 for the base and two thin rods each of length l2l_2 and coefficient of linear expansion α2\alpha_2 for the two pieces. If the distance between the apex and the midpoint of the base remain unchanged as the temperature is varied, show that l1l2=2α2α1\frac{l_1}{l_2} = 2\sqrt{\frac{\alpha_2}{\alpha_1}}.

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