Difference between revisions of "2012 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 21"

Latest revision as of 09:01, 27 December 2022

Problem 21

Square $AXYZ$ is inscribed in equiangular hexagon $ABCDEF$ with $X$ on $\overline{BC}$ , $Y$ on $\overline{DE}$ , and $Z$ on $\overline{EF}$ . Suppose that $AB=40$ , and $EF=41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ . What is the side-length of the square?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 29\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{21}{2}\sqrt{2}+\frac{41}{2}\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \ 20\sqrt{3}+16 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 20\sqrt{2}+13 \sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 21\sqrt{6}$

$[asy] size(200); defaultpen(linewidth(1)); pair A=origin,B=(2.5,0),C=B+2.5*dir(60), D=C+1.75*dir(120),E=D-(3.19,0),F=E-1.8*dir(60); pair X=waypoint(B--C,0.345),Z=rotate(90,A)*X,Y=rotate(90,Z)*A; draw(A--B--C--D--E--F--cycle); draw(A--X--Y--Z--cycle,linewidth(0.9)+linetype("2 2")); dot("$A$",A,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$B$",B,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$C$",C,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$D$",D,dir(20),linewidth(4)); dot("$E$",E,dir(100),linewidth(4)); dot("$F$",F,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$X$",X,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$Y$",Y,N,linewidth(4)); dot("$Z$",Z,W,linewidth(4)); [/asy]$

(diagram by djmathman)

Solution 1

We can, $\textsc{wlog}$ , assume $Y$ coincides with $D$ and $CD\parallel AF$ as before. In which case, we will have $BC=EF=41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ . So we have square $AXDZ$ inscribed in equiangular hexagon $ABCDEF$ with $X$ on $\overline{BC}$ and $Z$ on $\overline{EF}$ . $[asy] size(200); defaultpen(fontsize(10)+linewidth(1)); pair A=origin,B=(2.5,0),C=B+2.5*dir(60), D=C+1.75*dir(120),E=D-(3.19,0),F=E-1.8*dir(60); pair X=waypoint(B--C,0.345),Z=rotate(90,A)*X,Y=rotate(90,Z)*A; pair Cp=extension(B,C,Y,Y+dir(-60)); draw(A--B--Cp--Y--E--F--cycle); draw(A--X--Y--Z--cycle,linewidth(0.9)+linetype("2 2")); dot("$A$",A,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$B$",B,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$C$",Cp,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$E$",E,dir(100),linewidth(4)); dot("$F$",F,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$X$",X,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$D$",Y,N,linewidth(4)); dot("$Z$",Z,W,linewidth(4)); label("$u$", B--X, SE);label("$v$", X--Cp, SE); label("$40$", A--B, S); label("$s$", A--X, NW); label("$s$", Y--X, SW); [/asy]$ Let $\angle BXA = \theta$ ; then $\angle BAX=60^\circ -\theta$ . Let $BX=u$ . In $\triangle ABX$ we have $\begin{align} \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{u}{\sin(60^\circ-\theta)}=\frac {40}{\sin\theta} \end{align}$ We also have $\angle CXD=90^\circ - \theta$ and $\angle CDX = \theta-30^\circ$ . Let $CX=v$ . In $\triangle CDX$ we have $\begin{align}\tag{2} \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{v}{\sin(\theta-30^\circ)}=\frac {CD}{\cos\theta} \end{align}$ Now $BC=u+v=41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ . From $(1)$ and $(2)$ we get $\begin{align*} 41(\sqrt{3}-1) &= \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}\left(\sin(60^\circ-\theta)+\sin(\theta-30^\circ)\right) \\ &= \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}2\cdot (\sin\theta + \cos\theta) \end{align*}$ From $(1)$ we get $s\sin\theta = 20\sqrt{3}$ and therefore $s\cos\theta = \sqrt{s^2-3\cdot 20^2}$ . Thus $41(\sqrt{3}-1) = \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{\sqrt{3}}(20\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{s^2-3\cdot 20^2})$ which simplifies to $3\cdot 21^2 = s^2-3\cdot 20^2.$ Since $(20, 21, 29)$ is a Pythagorean triple, we get $s=29\sqrt{3}$ , i.e. $\framebox{A}$ .

Solution 2

Extend $AF$ and $YE$ so that they meet at $G$ . Then $\angle FEG=\angle GFE=60^{\circ}$ , so $\angle FGE=60^{\circ}$ and because $AB$ is parallel to $YE$ . Also, since $AX$ is parallel and equal to $YZ$ , we get $\angle BAX = \angle ZYE$ , hence $\triangle ABX$ is congruent to $\triangle YEZ$ . We now get $YE=AB=40$ .

Let $a_1=EY=40$ , $a_2=AF$ , and $a_3=EF$ .

Drop a perpendicular line from $A$ to the line of $EF$ that meets line $EF$ at $K$ , and a perpendicular line from $Y$ to the line of $EF$ that meets $EF$ at $L$ , then $\triangle AKZ$ is congruent to $\triangle ZLY$ since $\angle YZL$ is complementary to $\angle KZA$ . Then we have the following equations:

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a_2 = AK=ZL = ZE+\frac{1}{2} a_1$ $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a_1 = YL =ZK = ZF+\frac{1}{2} a_2$

The sum of these two yields that

$\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}(a_1+a_2) = \frac{1}{2} (a_1+a_2) + ZE+ZF = \frac{1}{2} (a_1+a_2) + EF$ $\frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2}(a_1+a_2) = 41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ $a_1+a_2=82$ $a_2=82-40=42.$

So, we can now use the law of cosines in $\triangle AGY$ :

$2AZ^2 = AY^2 = AG^2 + YG^2 - 2AG\cdot YG \cdot \cos 60^{\circ}$ $= (a_2+a_3)^2 + (a_1+a_3)^2 - (a_2+a_3)(a_1+a_3)$ $= (41\sqrt{3}+1)^2 + (41\sqrt{3}-1)^2 - (41\sqrt{3}+1)(41\sqrt{3}-1)$ $= 6 \cdot 41^2 + 2 - 3 \cdot 41^2 + 1 = 3 (41^2 + 1) = 3\cdot 1682$ $AZ^2 = 3 \cdot 841 = 3 \cdot 29^2$

Therefore $AZ = 29\sqrt{3} ... \framebox{A}$

Solution 3

First, we want to angle chase. Set $<YXC$ equal to $a$ degrees.

Now the key idea is that you want to relate the numbers that you have. You know $\overline{AB} = 40$ and that $\overline{EZ} + \overline{ZF} = 41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ . We proceed with the Law of Sines.

Call the side length of the square x. Then we are going to set a constant k equal to $\frac{\sin 120^{\circ}}{x}$ , and this is consistent for every triangle in the diagram because all the angles of the hexagon are equiangular (and so they are all $120^{\circ}$ ).

Then we get the following process: $\frac{\sin(90-a)}{40} = k$ $\cos a = 40k$

$\frac{\sin(a-30)}{\overline{EZ}} = k$ $\sin(a-30) = \overline{EZ}\cdot k$ $\frac{\sin(60-a)}{\overline{ZF}} = k$ $\sin(60-a) = \overline{ZF}\cdot k$ $\sin(a-30) + \sin(60-a) = k\cdot 41(\sqrt{3}-1)$

And now expanding using our trig formulas, we get: $(\sin a + \cos a)(\frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} = k\cdot 41(\sqrt{3}-1)$ $\sin a + \cos a = 82k$ $\sin a = 42k$

And so now we have a triangle where $\cos a = 40k$ and $\sin a = 42k$ . Put them in a triangle where the hypotenuse is 1. Then, by the Pythagorean Theorem, we get: $\sqrt{(40k)^2 + (42k)^2} = 1$ $3364k^2 = 1$ $k = \frac{1}{58}$

And since $k = \frac{\sin(120^{\circ})}{x}$ , then: $x = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\cdot58$ $x = \boxed{29\sqrt{3}}$

Solution by IronicNinja

Solution 4

Let $EZ = x$ , $\angle XAB = \alpha$

$\angle BAX = \angle EYZ$ , $AX = YZ$ , $\angle ZEY = \angle XBA$ , $\triangle BAX \cong \triangle EYZ$ by $AAS$ , $BX = EZ = x$

$\angle AXB = 180^\circ - 120^\circ - \alpha = 60^\circ - \alpha$

$\frac{XB}{\sin \angle XAB} = \frac{AX}{\sin \angle ABX} = \frac{AB}{\angle AXB}$ , $\frac{x}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{AX}{\sin 120^\circ} = \frac{40}{\sin (60^\circ - \alpha)}$

$\angle ZAF = 120^\circ - 90^\circ - \alpha = 30^\circ - \alpha$

$ZF = 41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x$ , $\frac{ZF}{\sin \angle ZAF} = \frac{AZ}{ \sin \angle ZFA}$ , $\frac{41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x}{\sin (30^\circ - \alpha)} = \frac{AZ}{ \sin 120^\circ}$

$\frac{x}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x}{\sin (30^\circ - \alpha)}= \frac{40}{\sin(60^\circ - \alpha)}$

$40 \cdot \sin \alpha = x(\sin 60^\circ \cos \alpha - \cos 60^\circ \sin \alpha)$ $(1)$

$x(\sin 30^\circ \cos \alpha - \cos 30^\circ \sin \alpha) = [41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x] \sin \alpha$ $(2)$

By simplifying $(1)$ we get, $\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot x \cdot \cos \alpha - \frac{\sin \alpha}{2} \cdot x = 40 \cdot \sin \alpha$ $(3)$

By simplifying $(2)$ we get, $\frac{\cos \alpha}{2} \cdot x + \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \sin \alpha \cdot x = 41(\sqrt{3} - 1)\sin \alpha$ $(4)$

By $\sqrt{3} \cdot (4) - (3)$ we get, $\frac{2\sqrt{3} - 3 +1}{2} \cdot \sin \alpha \cdot x = [41(3-\sqrt{3}) - 40] \sin \alpha$

$(\sqrt{3} - 1)x = 83 - 41\sqrt{3}$ , $x = 21 \sqrt{3} - 20$

By the law of cosine $AX = \sqrt{(21 \sqrt{3} - 20)^2 + 40^2 - 2 \cdot (21 \sqrt{3} - 20) 40 \cdot \cos 120^\circ} = \boxed{\textbf{(A) } 29 \sqrt{3}}$

~isabelchen

Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk

https://artofproblemsolving.com/videos/amc/2012amc12b/273

~dolphin7

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-==Problem==
+==Problem 21==
 Square <math>AXYZ</math> is inscribed in equiangular hexagon <math>ABCDEF</math> with <math>X</math> on <math>\overline{BC}</math>, <math>Y</math> on <math>\overline{DE}</math>, and <math>Z</math> on <math>\overline{EF}</math>. Suppose that <math>AB=40</math>, and <math>EF=41(\sqrt{3}-1)</math>. What is the side-length of the square?
-<math> \textbf{(A)}\ 29\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{21}{2}\sqrt{2}+\frac{41}{2}\sqrt{3}\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 20\sqrt{3}+16</math>
+<math> \textbf{(A)}\ 29\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ \frac{21}{2}\sqrt{2}+\frac{41}{2}\sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ \ 20\sqrt{3}+16 \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 20\sqrt{2}+13 \sqrt{3} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 21\sqrt{6}</math>
-<math>\textbf{(D)}\ 20\sqrt{2}+13\sqrt{3}
+<asy>
-\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 21\sqrt{6}</math>
+size(200);
+defaultpen(linewidth(1));
+pair A=origin,B=(2.5,0),C=B+2.5*dir(60), D=C+1.75*dir(120),E=D-(3.19,0),F=E-1.8*dir(60);
+pair X=waypoint(B--C,0.345),Z=rotate(90,A)*X,Y=rotate(90,Z)*A;
+draw(A--B--C--D--E--F--cycle);
+draw(A--X--Y--Z--cycle,linewidth(0.9)+linetype("2 2"));
+dot("$A$",A,W,linewidth(4));
+dot("$B$",B,dir(0),linewidth(4));
+dot("$C$",C,dir(0),linewidth(4));
+dot("$D$",D,dir(20),linewidth(4));
+dot("$E$",E,dir(100),linewidth(4));
+dot("$F$",F,W,linewidth(4));
+dot("$X$",X,dir(0),linewidth(4));
+dot("$Y$",Y,N,linewidth(4));
+dot("$Z$",Z,W,linewidth(4));
+</asy>
-==Solution==
+(diagram by djmathman)
-Extend <math>AF</math> and <math>YE</math> so that they meet at <math>G</math>. Then <math>\angle FEG=\angle GFE=60^{\circ}</math>, so <math>\angle FGE=60^{\circ}</math> and therefore <math>AB</math> is parallel to <math>YE</math>. Also, since <math>AX</math> is parallel and equal to <math>YZ</math>, we get <math>\angle BAX = \angle ZYE</math>, hence <math>\triangle ABX</math> is congruent to <math>\triangle </math>YEZ<math>. We now get </math>YE=AB=40<math>.
+==Solution 1==
-Let </math>a_1=EY=40<math>, </math>a_2=AF<math>, and </math>a_3=EF<math>.
+We can, <math>\textsc{wlog}</math>, assume <math>Y</math> coincides with <math>D</math> and <math>CD\parallel AF</math> as before. In which case, we will have <math>BC=EF=41(\sqrt{3}-1)</math>. So we have square <math>AXDZ</math> inscribed in equiangular hexagon <math>ABCDEF</math> with <math>X</math> on <math>\overline{BC}</math> and <math>Z</math> on <math>\overline{EF}</math>.
+<asy>
+size(200); defaultpen(fontsize(10)+linewidth(1)); pair A=origin,B=(2.5,0),C=B+2.5*dir(60), D=C+1.75*dir(120),E=D-(3.19,0),F=E-1.8*dir(60); pair X=waypoint(B--C,0.345),Z=rotate(90,A)*X,Y=rotate(90,Z)*A; pair Cp=extension(B,C,Y,Y+dir(-60)); draw(A--B--Cp--Y--E--F--cycle); draw(A--X--Y--Z--cycle,linewidth(0.9)+linetype("2 2")); dot("$A$",A,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$B$",B,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$C$",Cp,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$E$",E,dir(100),linewidth(4)); dot("$F$",F,W,linewidth(4)); dot("$X$",X,dir(0),linewidth(4)); dot("$D$",Y,N,linewidth(4)); dot("$Z$",Z,W,linewidth(4)); label("$u$", B--X, SE);label("$v$", X--Cp, SE); label("$40$", A--B, S); label("$s$", A--X, NW); label("$s$", Y--X, SW); </asy>
+Let <math>\angle BXA = \theta</math>; then <math>\angle BAX=60^\circ -\theta</math>. Let <math>BX=u</math>. In <math>\triangle ABX</math> we have
+<cmath>\begin{align}
+    \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{u}{\sin(60^\circ-\theta)}=\frac {40}{\sin\theta}
+\end{align}</cmath>
+We also have <math>\angle CXD=90^\circ - \theta</math> and <math>\angle CDX = \theta-30^\circ</math>. Let <math>CX=v</math>. In <math>\triangle CDX</math> we have
+<cmath>\begin{align}\tag{2}
+    \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{v}{\sin(\theta-30^\circ)}=\frac {CD}{\cos\theta}
+\end{align}</cmath>
+Now <math>BC=u+v=41(\sqrt{3}-1)</math>. From <math>(1)</math> and <math>(2)</math> we get<cmath>\begin{align*}
+(\sqrt{3}-1) &= \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}}\left(\sin(60^\circ-\theta)+\sin(\theta-30^\circ)\right) \\
+    &= \frac{2s}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}2\cdot (\sin\theta + \cos\theta)
+\end{align*}</cmath>
+From <math>(1)</math> we get <math>s\sin\theta = 20\sqrt{3}</math> and therefore <math>s\cos\theta = \sqrt{s^2-3\cdot 20^2}</math>. Thus
+<cmath>41(\sqrt{3}-1) = \frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{\sqrt{3}}(20\sqrt{3}+\sqrt{s^2-3\cdot 20^2})</cmath>which simplifies to<cmath>3\cdot 21^2  = s^2-3\cdot 20^2.</cmath>Since <math>(20, 21, 29)</math> is a Pythagorean triple, we get <math>s=29\sqrt{3}</math>, i.e. <math>\framebox{A}</math>.
-Drop a perpendicular line from </math>A<math> to the line of </math>EF<math> that meets line </math>EF<math> at </math>K<math>, and a perpendicular line from </math>Y<math> to the line of </math>EF<math> that meets </math>EF<math> at </math>L<math>, then </math>\triangle AKZ<math> is congruent to </math>\triangle ZLY<math> since </math>\angle YLZ<math> is complementary to </math>\angle KZA<math>. Then we have the following equations:
+==Solution 2==
+Extend <math>AF</math> and <math>YE</math> so that they meet at <math>G</math>. Then <math>\angle FEG=\angle GFE=60^{\circ}</math>, so <math>\angle FGE=60^{\circ}</math> and because <math>AB</math> is parallel to <math>YE</math>. Also, since <math>AX</math> is parallel and equal to <math>YZ</math>, we get <math>\angle BAX = \angle ZYE</math>, hence <math>\triangle ABX</math> is congruent to <math>\triangle YEZ</math>. We now get <math>YE=AB=40</math>.
+Let <math>a_1=EY=40</math>, <math>a_2=AF</math>, and <math>a_3=EF</math>.
+Drop a perpendicular line from <math>A</math> to the line of <math>EF</math> that meets line <math>EF</math> at <math>K</math>, and a perpendicular line from <math>Y</math> to the line of <math>EF</math> that meets <math>EF</math> at <math>L</math>, then <math>\triangle AKZ</math> is congruent to <math>\triangle ZLY</math> since <math>\angle YZL</math> is complementary to <math>\angle KZA</math>. Then we have the following equations:
 <cmath>\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a_2 = AK=ZL = ZE+\frac{1}{2} a_1</cmath>
@@ Line 26: / Line 63: @@
 <cmath>a_2=82-40=42.</cmath>
-So, we can now use the law of cosines in </math>\triangle AGY<math>:
+So, we can now use the law of cosines in <math>\triangle AGY</math>:
-<cmath> 2AZ^2 = AY^2 = AG^2 + YG^2 - 2AG\cdot YG \cdot \cos 60^{\circ} = (a_2+a_3)^2 + (a_1+a_3)^2 - (a_2+a_3)(a_1+a_3)</cmath>
+<cmath> 2AZ^2 = AY^2 = AG^2 + YG^2 - 2AG\cdot YG \cdot \cos 60^{\circ}</cmath>
-<cmath> = (41\sqrt{3}+1)^2 + (41\sqrt{3}-1)^2 - (41\sqrt{3}+1)(41\sqrt{3}-1) = 6 \cdot 41^1 + 2 - 3 \cdot 41^2 + 1 = 3 (\cdot 41^2 + 1) = 3\cdot 1682</cmath>
+<cmath> = (a_2+a_3)^2 + (a_1+a_3)^2 - (a_2+a_3)(a_1+a_3)</cmath>
+<cmath> = (41\sqrt{3}+1)^2 + (41\sqrt{3}-1)^2 - (41\sqrt{3}+1)(41\sqrt{3}-1)</cmath>
+<cmath> = 6 \cdot 41^2 + 2 - 3 \cdot 41^2 + 1 = 3 (41^2 + 1) = 3\cdot 1682</cmath>
 <cmath> AZ^2 = 3 \cdot 841 = 3 \cdot 29^2</cmath>
-Therefore </math>AZ = 29\sqrt{3} ... \framebox{A}$
+Therefore <math>AZ = 29\sqrt{3} ... \framebox{A}</math>
+==Solution 3==
+First, we want to angle chase. Set <math><YXC</math> equal to <math>a</math> degrees.
+Now the key idea is that you want to relate the numbers that you have. You know <math>\overline{AB} = 40</math> and that <math>\overline{EZ} + \overline{ZF} = 41(\sqrt{3}-1)</math>. We proceed with the Law of Sines.
+Call the side length of the square x. Then we are going to set a constant k equal to <math>\frac{\sin 120^{\circ}}{x}</math>, and this is consistent for every triangle in the diagram because all the angles of the hexagon are equiangular (and so they are all <math>120^{\circ}</math>).
+Then we get the following process:
+<cmath>\frac{\sin(90-a)}{40} = k</cmath>
+<cmath>\cos a = 40k</cmath>
+<cmath>\frac{\sin(a-30)}{\overline{EZ}} = k</cmath>
+<cmath>\sin(a-30) = \overline{EZ}\cdot k</cmath>
+<cmath>\frac{\sin(60-a)}{\overline{ZF}} = k</cmath>
+<cmath>\sin(60-a) = \overline{ZF}\cdot k</cmath>
+<cmath>\sin(a-30) + \sin(60-a) = k\cdot 41(\sqrt{3}-1)</cmath>
+And now expanding using our trig formulas, we get:
+<cmath>(\sin a + \cos a)(\frac{\sqrt{3}-1}{2} = k\cdot 41(\sqrt{3}-1)</cmath>
+<cmath>\sin a + \cos a = 82k</cmath>
+<cmath>\sin a = 42k</cmath>
+And so now we have a triangle where <math>\cos a = 40k</math> and <math>\sin a = 42k</math>. Put them in a triangle where the hypotenuse is 1. Then, by the Pythagorean Theorem, we get:
+<cmath>\sqrt{(40k)^2 + (42k)^2} = 1</cmath>
+<cmath>3364k^2 = 1</cmath>
+<cmath>k = \frac{1}{58}</cmath>
+And since <math>k = \frac{\sin(120^{\circ})}{x}</math>, then:
+<cmath>x = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\cdot58</cmath>
+<cmath>x = \boxed{29\sqrt{3}}</cmath>
+Solution by IronicNinja
+==Solution 4==
+Let <math>EZ = x</math>, <math>\angle XAB = \alpha</math>
+<math>\angle BAX = \angle EYZ</math>, <math>AX = YZ</math>, <math>\angle ZEY = \angle XBA</math>, <math>\triangle BAX \cong \triangle EYZ</math> by <math>AAS</math>, <math>BX = EZ = x</math>
+<math>\angle AXB = 180^\circ - 120^\circ - \alpha = 60^\circ - \alpha</math>
+<math>\frac{XB}{\sin \angle XAB} = \frac{AX}{\sin \angle ABX} = \frac{AB}{\angle AXB}</math>, <math>\frac{x}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{AX}{\sin 120^\circ} = \frac{40}{\sin (60^\circ - \alpha)}</math>
+<math>\angle ZAF = 120^\circ - 90^\circ - \alpha = 30^\circ - \alpha</math>
+<math>ZF = 41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x</math>, <math>\frac{ZF}{\sin \angle ZAF} = \frac{AZ}{ \sin \angle ZFA}</math>, <math>\frac{41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x}{\sin (30^\circ - \alpha)} = \frac{AZ}{ \sin 120^\circ}</math>
+<math>\frac{x}{\sin \alpha} = \frac{41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x}{\sin (30^\circ - \alpha)}= \frac{40}{\sin(60^\circ - \alpha)}</math>
+<math>40 \cdot \sin \alpha = x(\sin 60^\circ \cos \alpha - \cos 60^\circ \sin \alpha)</math> <math>(1)</math>
+<math>x(\sin 30^\circ \cos \alpha - \cos 30^\circ \sin \alpha) = [41(\sqrt{3} - 1) - x] \sin \alpha</math> <math>(2)</math>
+By simplifying <math>(1)</math> we get, <math>\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot x \cdot \cos \alpha - \frac{\sin \alpha}{2} \cdot x = 40 \cdot \sin \alpha</math> <math>(3)</math>
+By simplifying <math>(2)</math> we get, <math>\frac{\cos \alpha}{2} \cdot x + \frac{2 - \sqrt{3}}{2} \cdot \sin \alpha \cdot x = 41(\sqrt{3} - 1)\sin \alpha </math> <math>(4)</math>
+By <math>\sqrt{3} \cdot (4) - (3)</math> we get, <math>\frac{2\sqrt{3} - 3 +1}{2} \cdot \sin \alpha \cdot x = [41(3-\sqrt{3}) - 40] \sin \alpha</math>
+<math>(\sqrt{3} - 1)x = 83 - 41\sqrt{3}</math>, <math>x = 21 \sqrt{3} - 20</math>
+By the law of cosine <math>AX = \sqrt{(21 \sqrt{3} - 20)^2 + 40^2 - 2 \cdot (21 \sqrt{3} - 20) 40 \cdot \cos 120^\circ} = \boxed{\textbf{(A) } 29 \sqrt{3}}</math>
+~[https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Isabelchen isabelchen]
+==Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk==
+https://artofproblemsolving.com/videos/amc/2012amc12b/273
+~dolphin7
+== See Also ==
+{{AMC12 box|year=2012|ab=B|num-b=20|num-a=22}}
+[[Category:Introductory Geometry Problems]]
+{{MAA Notice}}

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