2010 AIME II Problems/Problem 12

Problem

Two noncongruent integer-sided isosceles triangles have the same perimeter and the same area. The ratio of the lengths of the bases of the two triangles is $8: 7$. Find the minimum possible value of their common perimeter.

Solution 1

Let $s$ be the semiperimeter of the two triangles. Also, let the base of the longer triangle be $16x$ and the base of the shorter triangle be $14x$ for some arbitrary factor $x$. Then, the dimensions of the two triangles must be $s-8x,s-8x,16x$ and $s-7x,s-7x,14x$. By Heron's Formula, we have

\[\sqrt{s(8x)(8x)(s-16x)}=\sqrt{s(7x)(7x)(s-14x)}\] \[8\sqrt{s-16x}=7\sqrt{s-14x}\] \[64s-1024x=49s-686x\] \[15s=338x\]

Since $15$ and $338$ are coprime, to minimize, we must have $s=338$ and $x=15$. However, we want the minimum perimeter. This means that we must multiply our minimum semiperimeter by $2$, which gives us a final answer of $\boxed{676}$.

Solution 2

Let the first triangle have sides $16n,a,a$, so the second has sides $14n,a+n,a+n$. The height of the first triangle is $\frac{7}{8}$ the height of the second triangle. Therefore, we have \[a^2-64n^2=\frac{49}{64}((a+n)^2-49n^2).\] Multiplying this, we get \[64a^2-4096n^2=49a^2+98an-2352n^2,\] which simplifies to \[15a^2-98an-1744n^2=0.\] Solving this for $a$, we get $a=n\cdot\frac{218}{15}$, so $n=15$ and $a=218$ and the perimeter is $15\cdot16+218+218=\boxed{676}$.

~john0512


Note

We use $16x$ and $14x$ instead of $8x$ and $7x$ to ensure that the triangle has integral side lengths. Plugging $8x$ and $7x$ directly into Heron's gives $s=338$, but for this to be true, the second triangle would have side lengths of $\frac{223}{2}$, which is impossible.

~jd9

See also

Video Solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUxOyPH8b4o

2010 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 11
Followed by
Problem 13
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