2007 AIME I Problems/Problem 4
Problem
Three planets orbit a star circularly in the same plane. Each moves in the same direction and moves at constant speed. Their periods are 60, 84, and 140 years. The three planets and the star are currently collinear. What is the fewest number of years from now that they will all be collinear again?
Solution
Denote the planets respectively. Let denote the angle which each of the respective planets makes with its initial position after years. These are given by , , .
In order for the planets and the central star to be collinear, , , and must differ by a multiple of . Note that and , so . These are simultaneously multiples of exactly when is a multiple of , so the planets and the star will next be collinear in years.
See also
2007 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 3 |
Followed by Problem 5 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
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