2009 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 22

Problem

A cubical cake with edge length $2$ inches is iced on the sides and the top. It is cut vertically into three pieces as shown in this top view, where $M$ is the midpoint of a top edge. The piece whose top is triangle $B$ contains $c$ cubic inches of cake and $s$ square inches of icing. What is $c+s$?

[asy] unitsize(1cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); [/asy]

$\text{(A) } \frac{24}{5} \qquad \text{(B) } \frac{32}{5} \qquad \text{(C) } 8+\sqrt5 \qquad \text{(D) } 5+\frac{16\sqrt5}{5} \qquad \text{(E) } 10+5\sqrt5$

Solution

[asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,NW); [/asy]

Let's label the points as in the picture above. Let $[RNQ]$ be the area of $\triangle RNQ$. Then the volume of the corresponding piece is $c=2[RNQ]$. This cake piece has icing on the top and on the vertical side that contains the edge $QR$. Hence the total area with icing is $[RNQ]+2^2 = [RNQ]+4$. Thus the answer to our problem is $3[RNQ]+4$, and all we have to do now is determine $[RNQ]$.

Solution 1

Introduce a coordinate system where $Q=(0,0)$, $P=(2,0)$ and $R=(0,2)$.

In this coordinate system we have $M=(2,1)$, and the line $QM$ has the equation $2y-x=0$.

As the line $RN$ is orthogonal to $QM$, it must have the equation $y+2x+q=0$ for some suitable constant $q$. As this line contains the point $R=(0,2)$, we have $q=-2$.

Substituting $x=2y$ into $y+2x-2=0$, we get $y=\frac 25$, and then $x=\frac 45$.

We can note that in $\triangle RNQ$ $x$ is the height from $N$ onto $RQ$, hence its area is $[RNQ] = \frac{x \cdot RQ} 2 = \frac{2x}2 = x = \frac 45$, and therefore the answer is $3[RNQ]+4 = 3\cdot \frac 45 + 4 = \boxed{\frac{32}5 \Longrightarrow B}$.

Solution 2

Extend $RN$ to intersect $PQ$ at $O$:

[asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4)); draw(P -- (0,1));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,1.5*WNW); label("$O$",(0,1),N); [/asy]

It is now obvious that $O$ is the midpoint of $PQ$. (Imagine rotating the square $PQRS$ by $90^\circ$ clockwise around its center. This rotation will map the segment $MQ$ to a segment that is orthogonal to $MQ$, contains $R$ and contains the midpoint of $PQ$.

From $\triangle PQM$ we can compute that $QM = \sqrt{1^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt 5$.

Observe that $\triangle PQM$ and $\triangle NQO$ have the same angles and therefore they are similar. The ratio of their sides is $\frac{QM}{OQ} = \frac{\sqrt 5}1 = \sqrt 5$.

Hence we have $ON = \frac{PM}{\sqrt 5} = \frac 1{\sqrt 5}$, and $NQ = \frac{PQ}{\sqrt 5} = \frac 2{\sqrt 5}$.

Knowing this, we can compute the area of $\triangle NQO$ as $[NQO] = \frac{ON \cdot NQ}2 = \frac 15$.

Finally, we compute $[RNQ] = [ROQ] - [NQO] = 1 - \frac 15 = \frac 45,$ and conclude that the answer is $3[RNQ]+4 = 3\cdot \frac 45 + 4 = \boxed{\frac{32}5}.$

  • You could also notice that the two triangles $\triangle PMQ$ and $\triangle NQR$ in the original figure are similar.

Solution 3 (Pythagorean Theorem only)

[asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4)); draw((-1,0)--(1,-1));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,NW); label("$x$", (0.65, 0.7)); label("$\sqrt{5} - x$", (-0.3, 0.15)); [/asy]

Since $PQ = SR = 2$ and $PM = MS = 1$, we know that $MQ = MR = \sqrt{2^{2} + 1^{2}} = \sqrt{5}$. If we let $NQ = x$, then $MN = \sqrt{5} - x$. Now, by the Pythagorean Theorem, we have:

\[x^{2} + NR^{2} = 2^{2} = 4\] \[(\sqrt{5} - x)^{2} + NR^{2} = (\sqrt{5})^{2} = 5\]

Expanding and rearranging the second equation gives:

\[5 - 2x\sqrt{5} + x^{2} + NR^{2} = 5\] \[x^{2} + NR^{2} - 2x\sqrt{5} = 0\] \[x^{2} + NR^{2} = 2x\sqrt{5}\]

Since $x^{2} + NR^{2} = 4$, we have that:

\[2x\sqrt{5} = 4\] \[x\sqrt{5} = 2\] \[x = \frac{2}{\sqrt{5}} = \frac{2\sqrt{5}}{5}\]

Knowing $x$, we can solve for the height $NR$:

\[NR^{2} = 2^{2} - x^{2} = 4 - ({\frac{2\sqrt{5}}{5}})^{2} = 4 - \frac{4}{5} = \frac{16}{5}\] \[NR = \sqrt{\frac{16}{5}} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{5}} = \frac{4\sqrt{5}}{5}\]

Therefore, the area of triangle $RNQ$ is $\frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{2\sqrt{5}}{5} \cdot\frac{4\sqrt{5}}{5} = \frac{1}{2} \cdot\frac{40}{25} = \frac{4}{5}$. Since the solution to the problem is $3[RNQ] + 4$, the answer is $3(\frac{4}{5}) + 4 = \frac{12}{5} + \frac{20}{5} = \boxed{(B) \frac{32}{5}}$.

Solution 4

[asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,NW); [/asy]

$MQ = \sqrt{2^{2} + 1^{2}} = \sqrt{5}$

since $\angle PQM + \angle PMQ = 90 = \angle PQM + \angle NQR$

therefore $\angle PMQ = \angle NQR$

and since $\angle MPQ = \angle QNR = 90$

therefore $\triangle MPQ \sim \triangle QNR$

therefore $\frac {[QNR]}{[MPQ]} = (\frac{QR}{QM})^{2}, [QNR] = [MPQ] \cdot (\frac{QR}{QM})^{2}$

$[MPQ] = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 2 \cdot 1 = 1$

$[QNR] = 1 \cdot (\frac{2}{\sqrt{5}})^{2} = 1 \cdot \frac{4}{5} = \frac{4}{5}$

Since the solution to the problem is $3[QNR] + 4$, the answer is $3(\frac{4}{5}) + 4 = \frac{12}{5} + \frac{20}{5} = \boxed{(B) \frac{32}{5}}$.


Solution 5 (Similarity)

[asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4));  label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,NW); [/asy]

All units of length in the following solution are in inches, or inches squared, or inches cubed. Units of angles are in degrees.


$PQ = 2$. Since $M$ is the midpoint of $\overline{SP}$ which measures $2$, $MP = 1$.


Since angle MNR is right, angle QNR is also right. Let $m\angle PQM = x$. Then $m\angle PMQ = 90 - x$. Notice also since $\angle PQR$ is right, $m \angle NQR = 90 - x$. Since $\angle QNR$ is right, $m\angle QRN = x$. Therefore, $\triangle PQM \sim \triangle NRQ$.


Let $QN = a$. By the Pythagorean theorem, $MQ = \sqrt{5}$. By similarity, $\frac{PM}{MQ} = \frac{NQ}{QR} \longrightarrow \frac{1}{\sqrt{5}} = \frac{a}{2}$, so $a=\frac{2}{\sqrt{5}}=\frac{2\sqrt{5}}{5}$. By the Pythagorean theorem, $NR^2+NQ^2=QR^2$. Substituting known values in and solving for $NR$, we get $NR=\frac{4\sqrt{5}}{5}$. (Alternatively, use the fact that $\triangle PQM \sim \triangle NRQ$). Since $\triangle NQR$ is a right triangle, the area is just $NQ \cdot NR \cdot \frac{1}{2}$ which, substituting values, is equal to $\frac{4}{5}$. But remember that $s$ also consists of the side of the cake, so we have to add $2^2=4$. So $s=\frac{4}{5}+4=\frac{24}{5}$.


Meanwhile, $c$ is the volume of the slice (a triangular prism) which is found by the base area times height. We already calculated the base area to be $\frac{4}{5}$, so simply multiply by $2$ to get the volume $=\frac{8}{5}$. This is the value of $c$.

Sum $c+s$: $c+s=\frac{8}{5}+\frac{24}{5}=\frac{32}{5} \Longrightarrow \boxed{\textbf{(B) } \frac{32}{5}}$.


~JH. L

Solution 6 (only Pythagorean Theorem, no algebra)

Label the vertices of the square, $P$, $Q$, $R$, and $S$ and draw line segment $MA$ (as shown below): [asy] unitsize(2cm); defaultpen(linewidth(.8pt)+fontsize(8pt));  draw((-1,-1)--(1,-1)--(1,1)--(-1,1)--cycle); draw((1,1)--(-1,0)); pair P=foot((1,-1),(1,1),(-1,0)); draw((1,-1)--P); draw((1, 1)--(1,0)); draw(rightanglemark((-1,0),P,(1,-1),4)); draw((-1,0)--(1,-1)); label("$M$",(-1,0),W); label("$C$",(-0.1,-0.3)); label("$A$",(-0.4,0.7)); label("$B$",(0.7,0.4)); label("$P$",(-1,1),NW); label("$Q$",(1,1),NE); label("$R$",(1,-1),SE); label("$S$",(-1,-1),SW); label("$N$",P,NW); [/asy]

$PM=MS=1$ and $SR=2$, so by the pythagorean theorem, \[MR = \sqrt{1^2+2^2} = \sqrt{5}.\] By the same logic, $MQ=\sqrt{5}$. The area of $\triangle QMR$ is the area of the whole square, minus the combined areas of $\triangle PMQ$ and $\triangle MSR$, so \[[QMR] = 4-1-1=2.\] Since $QM$ is the base of $\triangle QMR$ and $RN$ is the height, \[\frac{QM(RN)}{2} = 2\] \[\frac{\sqrt5(RN)}{2} = 2,\] so $RN=\frac{3\sqrt5}{5}$. We also know that \[QN = QM-MN = \sqrt{5} - \frac{3\sqrt5}{5} = \frac{2\sqrt5}{5}.\] Now, we can find the area of $\triangle QNR$. \[[QNR] = \frac{1}{2}(QN)(RN) = \frac{1}{2}(\frac{4\sqrt5}{5})(\frac{2\sqrt5}{5}) = \frac{4}{5}.\] The area of icing is the area of $\triangle QNR$, plus the area of the 2x2 square on $QR$, so \[s=\frac{4}{5}+4 =\frac{4}{5} + \frac{20}{5} = \frac{24}{5}.\] The cubic inches of cake is the volume of the piece, which is the area of $\triangle QNR$ times $2$ (the height of the cake), so $c = \frac{8}{5}$. Hence, $c+s = \frac{32}{5}$, and the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \frac{32}{5}}$ ~azc1027

See Also

2009 AMC 10B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 21
Followed by
Problem 23
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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