Difference between revisions of "2020 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 24"
(→Solution 2 (Intuition)) |
Szhangmath (talk | contribs) (→Solution 1(b)) |
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<math>\textbf{(A) } 1+\sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7} \qquad \textbf{(C) } \frac{8}{3} \qquad \textbf{(D) } \sqrt{5+\sqrt{5}} \qquad \textbf{(E) } 2\sqrt{2}</math> | <math>\textbf{(A) } 1+\sqrt{2} \qquad \textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7} \qquad \textbf{(C) } \frac{8}{3} \qquad \textbf{(D) } \sqrt{5+\sqrt{5}} \qquad \textbf{(E) } 2\sqrt{2}</math> | ||
− | == Solution 1 == | + | == Solution 1 (Rotations)== |
+ | |||
+ | ===Solution 1(a)=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | We begin by rotating <math>\triangle{ APB}</math> counterclockwise by <math>60^{\circ}</math> about <math>A</math>, such that <math>P\mapsto Q</math> and <math>B\mapsto C</math>. We see that <math>\triangle{ APQ}</math> is equilateral with side length <math>1</math>, meaning that <math>\angle APQ = 60^{\circ}</math>. We also see that <math>\triangle{CPQ}</math> is a <math>30</math>-<math>60</math>-<math>90</math> right triangle, meaning that <math>\angle CPQ= 60^{\circ}</math>. Thus, by adding the two together, we see that <math>\angle APC = 120^{\circ}</math>. | ||
<asy> | <asy> | ||
− | + | size(200); pen p = fontsize(10pt)+gray+0.5; pen q = fontsize(13pt); | |
− | + | pair A,B,C,D,P,Q; | |
− | + | real s=sqrt(7); | |
− | + | B=origin; A=s*dir(60); C=s*right; P=IP(CR(A,1),CR(C,2)); Q=rotate(60,A)*P; | |
− | + | draw(A--B--C--A, black+0.8); | |
− | draw( | + | draw(A--P--B^^P--C^^A--Q--C, p); |
− | label("$ | + | draw(P--Q, p+dashed); |
− | + | //draw(A--A+C--C, p); | |
− | label(" | + | label("$A$", A, up, q); |
− | + | label("$B$", B, 0.5*(B-P), q); | |
− | label(" | + | label("$C$", C, 0.5*(C-P), q); |
− | + | label("$P$", P, dir(180), q); | |
− | label("$ | + | label("$Q$", Q, 0.25*(Q-B), q); |
− | + | label("$\sqrt{3}$",B--P, right, p); | |
− | label("$1$", | + | label("$2$",C--P, 2*left, p); |
− | + | label("$1$",A--P, 1.5**dir(-10), p); | |
− | label("$ | + | label("$1$", A--Q, dir(250), p); |
− | + | label("$1$",P--Q, down, p); | |
− | label(" | + | label("$\sqrt{3}$",C--Q, right, p); |
</asy> | </asy> | ||
− | + | We can now use the law of cosines as following: | |
− | |||
<cmath>\begin{align*} | <cmath>\begin{align*} | ||
− | s^2 &= (AP)^2 + (CP)^2 - 2 | + | s^2 &= (AP)^2 + (CP)^2 - 2\cdot AP\cdot CP\cdot \cos{\angle{APC}} \ |
− | &= 1 + 4 - 2 | + | &= 1 + 4 - 2\cdot 1\cdot 2\cdot \cos{120^{\circ}} \ |
&= 5 - 4\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) \ | &= 5 - 4\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) \ | ||
&= 7, | &= 7, | ||
\end{align*}</cmath> | \end{align*}</cmath> | ||
− | giving us that <math>s = \boxed{\textbf{(B) | + | giving us that <math>s = \boxed{ \sqrt{7} \ \textbf{(B)}}</math>. |
~ciceronii | ~ciceronii | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Solution 1(b)=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rotate <math>\triangle CPA</math> counterclockwise <math>60^\circ</math> around point <math>C</math> to <math>\triangle CQB</math>. Then <math>CP=CQ, \angle PCQ=60^\circ</math>, so <math>\triangle CPQ</math> is an equilateral triangle. | ||
+ | <asy> | ||
+ | size(200); pen p = fontsize(10pt)+gray+0.4; pen q = fontsize(13pt); | ||
+ | pair A,B,C,D,P,Q; | ||
+ | real s=sqrt(7); | ||
+ | A=origin; B=s*right; C=s*dir(60); P=IP(CR(A,1),CR(C,2)); Q=rotate(60,C)*P; | ||
+ | draw(A--B--C--A, black+0.8); | ||
+ | draw(A--P--B^^P--C, p); | ||
+ | draw(B--Q--C^^P--Q, p+dashed); | ||
+ | label("$A$", A, A-P, q); | ||
+ | label("$B$", B, B-P, q); | ||
+ | label("$C$", C, up, q); | ||
+ | label("$P$", P, dir(140), q); | ||
+ | label("$Q$", Q, 0.25*(Q-P), q); | ||
+ | label("$\sqrt{3}$",P--B, dir(60), p); | ||
+ | label("$2$",C--P, 2*left, p); | ||
+ | label("$1$",A--P, up, p); | ||
+ | label("$1$", B--Q, dir(-30), p); | ||
+ | label("$2$",P--Q, down, p); | ||
+ | label("$2$",C--Q, dir(45), p); | ||
+ | </asy> | ||
+ | Note that <math>\triangle PQB</math> is a <math>30^\circ</math>-<math>60^\circ</math>-<math>90^\circ</math> triangle, hence <math>\angle BPQ=30^\circ</math>, and <math>\angle BPC=90^\circ</math>, so <cmath>BC^2=PC^2+PB^2=2^2+3=7,</cmath> and the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~szhangmath | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Solution 1(c)=== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rotate <math>\triangle BPC</math> counterclockwise by <math>60^\circ</math> around point <math>B</math> to <math>\triangle BQA</math>. Then <math>BP=BQ</math>, and <math>\angle PBQ=60^\circ</math>, so <math>\triangle BPQ</math> is an equilateral triangle. | ||
+ | <asy> | ||
+ | size(200); pen p = fontsize(10pt)+gray+0.4; pen q = fontsize(13pt); | ||
+ | pair A,B,C,D,P,Q,R,X,Y,Z; | ||
+ | real s=sqrt(7); | ||
+ | C=origin; A=s*right; B=s*dir(60); P=IP(CR(A,1),CR(C,2)); Q=rotate(60,B)*P; | ||
+ | draw(A--B--C--A, black+0.8); | ||
+ | draw(A--P--B^^P--C, p); | ||
+ | draw(B--Q--A^^P--Q, p+dashed); | ||
+ | label("$A$", A, A-P, q); | ||
+ | label("$B$", B, B-P, q); | ||
+ | label("$C$", C, 0.6*(C-P), q); | ||
+ | label("$P$", P, dir(250), q); | ||
+ | label("$Q$", Q, 0.25*(Q-P), q); | ||
+ | label("$\sqrt{3}$",B--Q, dir(60), p); | ||
+ | label("$\sqrt{3}$",P--B, dir(210), p); | ||
+ | label("$\sqrt{3}$",P--Q, dir(135), p); | ||
+ | label("$2$",P--C, dir(120), p); | ||
+ | label("$2$",A--Q, dir(-20), p); | ||
+ | label("$1$",A--P, dir(210), p); | ||
+ | </asy> | ||
+ | Note that <math>\triangle QAP</math> is a <math>30^\circ</math>-<math>60^\circ</math>-<math>90^\circ</math> triangle, hence <math>\angle PQA=30^\circ</math>, and <math>\angle BQA=90^\circ</math>, so <cmath>AB^2=PQ^2+AQ^2=2^2+3=7,</cmath> and the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
== Solution 2 (Intuition) == | == Solution 2 (Intuition) == | ||
<asy> | <asy> | ||
unitsize(1inch); | unitsize(1inch); | ||
+ | pen p = fontsize(10pt); | ||
dot((0.756,0.655)); | dot((0.756,0.655)); | ||
Line 48: | Line 104: | ||
pair A = origin, B = (1.323,2.291), C = (2.646,0), P = (0.756,0.655), Q = (1.512,1.309), R = (1.701,0.327); | pair A = origin, B = (1.323,2.291), C = (2.646,0), P = (0.756,0.655), Q = (1.512,1.309), R = (1.701,0.327); | ||
draw((0,0)--(1.323,2.291)--(2.646,0)--cycle); | draw((0,0)--(1.323,2.291)--(2.646,0)--cycle); | ||
− | label("$A$", (0,0), SW, p | + | label("$A$", (0,0), SW, p); |
− | label("$C$", (2.646,0), SE, p | + | label("$C$", (2.646,0), SE, p); |
− | label("$B$", (1.323,2.291), N, p | + | label("$B$", (1.323,2.291), N, p); |
− | label("$P'$", (0.756,0.655), NW, p | + | label("$P'$", (0.756,0.655), NW, p); |
− | label("$1$", (2.174,0.164), N, p | + | label("$1$", (2.174,0.164), N, p); |
− | label("$1$", (1.228,0.491), N, p | + | label("$1$", (1.228,0.491), N, p); |
D(A--P, red); | D(A--P, red); | ||
D(B--Q, red); | D(B--Q, red); | ||
Line 69: | Line 125: | ||
== Solution 3 (Answer Choices) == | == Solution 3 (Answer Choices) == | ||
<asy> | <asy> | ||
+ | unitsize(0.4inch); | ||
+ | pen p = fontsize(10pt); | ||
+ | |||
draw((0,0)--(4,5.65)--(8,0)--cycle); | draw((0,0)--(4,5.65)--(8,0)--cycle); | ||
− | label("$A$", (4,5.65), N, p | + | label("$A$", (4,5.65), N, p); |
− | label("$C$", (8,0), SE, p | + | label("$C$", (8,0), SE, p); |
− | label("$B$", (0,0), SW, p | + | label("$B$", (0,0), SW, p); |
− | label("$P$", (3.5,3.5), E, p | + | label("$P$", (3.5,3.5), E, p); |
− | label("$E$", (2.8191,3.982), NW, p | + | label("$E$", (2.8191,3.982), NW, p); |
− | label("$F$", (4.848,4.452), NE, p | + | label("$F$", (4.848,4.452), NE, p); |
− | label("$G$", (3.5,0), down, p | + | label("$G$", (3.5,0), down, p); |
draw((0,0)--(3.5,3.5)); | draw((0,0)--(3.5,3.5)); | ||
− | label("$\sqrt{3}$",(0,0)--(3.5,3.5), SE); | + | label("$\sqrt{3}$",(0,0)--(3.5,3.5), SE,p); |
draw((8,0)--(3.5,3.5)); | draw((8,0)--(3.5,3.5)); | ||
− | label("$2$",(8,0)--(3.5,3.5), SW); | + | label("$2$",(8,0)--(3.5,3.5), SW,p); |
draw((4,5.65)--(3.5,3.5)); | draw((4,5.65)--(3.5,3.5)); | ||
− | label("$1$",(4,5.65)--(3.5,3.5), E); | + | label("$1$",(4,5.65)--(3.5,3.5), E,p); |
draw((3.5,3.5)--(2.8191,3.982)); | draw((3.5,3.5)--(2.8191,3.982)); | ||
draw((3.5,3.5)--(4.848,4.452)); | draw((3.5,3.5)--(4.848,4.452)); | ||
Line 112: | Line 171: | ||
<asy> | <asy> | ||
+ | size(300); | ||
draw((0,3.5)--(4,9.15)--(8,3.5)--cycle); | draw((0,3.5)--(4,9.15)--(8,3.5)--cycle); | ||
label("$A$", (4,9.15), N, p = fontsize(10pt)); | label("$A$", (4,9.15), N, p = fontsize(10pt)); | ||
Line 142: | Line 202: | ||
The formula for the area of an equilateral triangle with side length <math>s</math> is <math>\frac{s^2\sqrt{3}}{4}</math> (if you don't have this memorized it's not hard to derive). Comparing this formula to the area of <math>ABC</math>, we can easily find that <math>s^2=7</math>, which means that the side length of <math>ABC</math> is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | The formula for the area of an equilateral triangle with side length <math>s</math> is <math>\frac{s^2\sqrt{3}}{4}</math> (if you don't have this memorized it's not hard to derive). Comparing this formula to the area of <math>ABC</math>, we can easily find that <math>s^2=7</math>, which means that the side length of <math>ABC</math> is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
− | While this approach feels rather convoluted in comparison to Solution 1, it is more flexible and can actually be generalized for any point in | + | While this approach feels rather convoluted in comparison to Solution 1 (which only works for isosceles triangles), it is more flexible and can actually be generalized for any point in a general triangle (although that requires use of Heron's, and potentially Law of Sines and Cosines). |
~IAmTheHazard | ~IAmTheHazard | ||
− | == Solution 5 == | + | == Solution 5 (Coordinate Bashing)== |
Suppose <math>A(0,\sqrt{3}a)</math>, <math>B(-a,0)</math>, <math>C(a,0)</math> and <math>P(x,y)</math>. So <math>s=2a</math>. Since <math>BP = \sqrt{3}</math> and <math>CP = 2</math>, we have | Suppose <math>A(0,\sqrt{3}a)</math>, <math>B(-a,0)</math>, <math>C(a,0)</math> and <math>P(x,y)</math>. So <math>s=2a</math>. Since <math>BP = \sqrt{3}</math> and <math>CP = 2</math>, we have | ||
<cmath>(x+a)^2+y^2=3</cmath> | <cmath>(x+a)^2+y^2=3</cmath> | ||
Line 152: | Line 212: | ||
Solving the equations, we have | Solving the equations, we have | ||
<cmath>x=-\frac{1}{4a},~~y=\sqrt{\frac72-a^2-\frac{1}{16a^2}}</cmath> | <cmath>x=-\frac{1}{4a},~~y=\sqrt{\frac72-a^2-\frac{1}{16a^2}}</cmath> | ||
− | From <math>AP=1</math>, we can have <math>a=\sqrt{7}/2</math>. The answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | + | From <math>AP=1</math> (and a fair amount of algebra), we can have <math>a=\sqrt{7}/2</math>. The answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. |
~Linty Huang | ~Linty Huang | ||
− | ==Solution 6== | + | ==Solution 6 (Diagram Nuke)== |
+ | Drawing out a rough sketch, it appears that <math>\angle BPC = 90^{\circ}</math>. By Pythagorean, our answer is <math>\sqrt{\sqrt{3}^2 + 2^2} = \boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Proof of this fact can be found in the Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk below. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Solution 7 (Theorem Nuke)== | ||
+ | We can use the following theorem: | ||
+ | <math>\text{For a point } P \text{ inside of an equilateral triangle } \triangle ABC \text{ and side length } s</math>, <cmath>3(PA^4+PB^4+PC^4 + s^4)=(PA^2+PB^2+PC^2+s^2)^2</cmath> | ||
+ | We know that <math>PA=1, PB=\sqrt{3}</math>, and <math>CP=2</math>. Plugging these into our formula, we get <math>3(1+9+16+s^4)=(1+3+4+s^2)^2 \Rightarrow 78 + 3s^4=64+16s^2+s^4 \Rightarrow 2s^4-16s^2+14=0</math>. Let <math>s^2=u</math>. Then, we have <math>2u^2-16u+14=0</math>. Solving for <math>u</math>, we get <math>\frac{16 \pm \sqrt{144}}{4} = 4 \pm 3</math>. If <math>u</math> is equal to <math>1</math>, then we have <math>s=1</math>, but this is not possible since <math>P</math> is inside of the triangle. This means that <math>u=7</math>, and therefore <math>s=\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ~kn07 | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Solution 8 (More Coordinate Bashing)== | ||
+ | Set the points <math>A(0,0), B\left(\frac{s}{2},\frac{s\sqrt{3}}{2}\right), C(s,0)</math>. Then, we want to find the intersection of the three circles <cmath>x^2+y^2=1, (x-s)^2+y^2=4, \left(x-\frac{s}{2}\right)^2+\left(y-\frac{s\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)^2=3.</cmath> Subtracting circle 1 from circle 2 yields <math>s^2-2xs=3</math>, which can be rewritten as <math>x=\frac{s^2-3}{2s}</math>. Subtracting circle 1 from circle 3 yields <math>s^2-sx-ys\sqrt{3}=2</math>, or <math>2s^2-2sx-2ys\sqrt{3}=4</math>. Subtracting <math>s^2-2xs=3</math> from this yields <math>s^2-2ys\sqrt{3}=1</math>, or <math>y=\frac{s^2-1}{2s\sqrt{3}}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We then substitute our values for <math>x</math> and <math>y</math> back into <math>x^2+y^2=1</math>, which gives us <cmath>\left(\frac{s^2-3}{2s}\right)^2+\left(\frac{s^2-1}{2s\sqrt{3}}\right)^2=1.</cmath> | ||
+ | Solving this equation (the algebra is surprisingly not bad!) gives us <math>s=\pm1,\pm\sqrt{7}</math>. Since <math>s</math> must be greater than 1, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | - curiousmind888 & TGSN | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Solution 9 (Trig Bash)== | ||
− | + | Let <math>\angle APC = \alpha</math>, <math>\angle CPB = \beta</math>, by the Law of Cosine | |
− | + | <cmath>1^2+2^2 - 2 \cdot 1 \cdot 2 \cdot \cos \alpha = 2^2 + (\sqrt{3})^2 - 2 \cdot 2 \cdot \sqrt{3} \cdot \cos \beta</cmath> | |
− | + | <cmath>2^2 + (\sqrt{3})^2 - 2 \cdot 2 \cdot \sqrt{3} = (\sqrt{3})^2 + 1^2 - 2 \cdot \sqrt{3} \cdot 1 \cdot \cos (360^{\circ} - \alpha - \beta)</cmath> | |
− | + | Simplifying the two equations we get | |
− | + | <cmath>\sqrt{3} \cos \beta - \cos \alpha = \frac12 </cmath> | |
− | + | <cmath>3 - 4 \sqrt{3} \cos \beta = - 2 \sqrt{3} ( \cos \alpha \cos \beta - \sin \alpha \sin \beta )</cmath> | |
− | + | ||
− | + | Let <math>\cos \alpha = x</math>, <math>\cos \beta = y</math>, by simplifying we get: | |
− | + | <cmath>y\sqrt{3} - x = \frac12</cmath> | |
− | + | <cmath>3-4y\sqrt{3} = -2\sqrt{3} \left( xy - \sqrt{ (1-x^2)(1-y^2) } \right)</cmath> | |
− | + | Solving the first equation for <math>y</math> we get <math>y = \frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6}</math> | |
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | |||
− | </ | + | Substituting this into the second equation gives |
− | + | <cmath>3-4\sqrt{3} \cdot \frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6} = -2\sqrt{3} \left( x \cdot \frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6} - \sqrt{ (1-x^2)(1- (\frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6})^2 ) } \right)</cmath> | |
+ | <cmath>3-2(2x+1) = - 2\sqrt{3} \cdot x \cdot \frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6} + 2\sqrt{3} \cdot \sqrt{ (1-x^2)(1- (\frac{ 2x \sqrt{3} + \sqrt{3} }{6})^2 ) }</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>3 - 2x - 2 = -2x^2 - x + 2\sqrt{3} \cdot \sqrt{ (1-x^2)(1- (\sqrt{3})^2(\frac{ 2x + 1 }{6})^2 ) }</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>3 - 2x - 2 + 2x^2 + x = \sqrt{ 12 (1-x^2)(1- \frac{ 4x^2 + 4x + 1 }{12} ) }</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>1 - 3x + 2x^2 = \sqrt{ (1-x^2)(11 - 4x^2 - 4x) }</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>(1 - 3x + 2x^2)^2 = (1-x^2)(11 - 4x^2 - 4x)</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>1 - 3x + 2x^2 - 3x + 9x^2 - 6x^3 + 2x^2 - 6x^3 + 4x^4 = 11 - 4x - 4x^2 - 11x^2 + 4x^3 + 4x^4</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>1 - 6x + 13x^2 - 12x^3 = 11 - 4x - 15x^2 + 4x^3</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>8x^3 - 14x^2 + x + 5 = 0</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>(x-1)(4x-5)(2x+1) = 0</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>\cos \alpha<1, \quad \cos \alpha = x = -\frac12, \quad s = \sqrt{ 5 - 4 \cos \alpha } = \boxed{\textbf{(B) } \sqrt{7}}</cmath> | ||
− | + | ~[https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Isabelchen isabelchen] | |
− | |||
== Video Solutions == | == Video Solutions == |
Latest revision as of 16:49, 8 February 2024
Contents
[hide]Problem
Suppose that is an equilateral triangle of side length , with the property that there is a unique point inside the triangle such that , , and . What is ?
Solution 1 (Rotations)
Solution 1(a)
We begin by rotating counterclockwise by about , such that and . We see that is equilateral with side length , meaning that . We also see that is a -- right triangle, meaning that . Thus, by adding the two together, we see that . We can now use the law of cosines as following: giving us that .
~ciceronii
Solution 1(b)
Rotate counterclockwise around point to . Then , so is an equilateral triangle. Note that is a -- triangle, hence , and , so and the answer is .
~szhangmath
Solution 1(c)
Rotate counterclockwise by around point to . Then , and , so is an equilateral triangle. Note that is a -- triangle, hence , and , so and the answer is .
Solution 2 (Intuition)
Suppose that triangle had three segments of length , emanating from each of its vertices, making equal angles with each of its sides, and going into its interior. Suppose each of these segments intersected the segment clockwise to it precisely at its other endpoint and inside (as pictured in the diagram above). Clearly and the triangle defined by these intersection points will be equilateral (pictured by the blue segments).
Take this equilateral triangle to have side length . The portions of each segment outside this triangle (in red) have length . Take to be the intersection of the segments emanating from and . By Law of Cosines, So, actually satisfies the conditions of the problem, and we can obtain again by Law of Cosines
~ hnkevin42
Solution 3 (Answer Choices)
We begin by dropping altitudes from point down to all three sides of the triangle as shown above. We can therefore make equations regarding the areas of triangles , , and . Let be the side of the equilateral triangle, we use the Heron's formula:
Similarly, we obtain:
By Viviani's theorem,
Note that from now on, the algebra will get extremely ugly and almost impossible to do by hand within the time frame. However, we do see that it's extremely easy to check the answer choices with the equation in this form. Testing , We obtain on both sides, revealing that our answer is in fact
~ siluweston ~ edits by aopspandy
Solution 4 (Area)
Instead of directly finding the side length of the equilateral triangle, we instead find the area and use it to find the side length. Begin by reflecting over each of the sides. Label these reflected points . Connect these points to the vertices of the equilateral triangle, as well as to each other.
Observe that the area of the equilateral triangle is half that of the hexagon .
Note that . The same goes for the other vertices. This means that is isosceles. Using either the Law of Cosines or simply observing that is comprised of two 30-60-90 triangles, we find that . Similarly (pun intended), and . Using the previous observation that is two 30-60-90 triangles (as are the others) we find the areas of to be . Again, using similarity we find the area of to be and the area of to be .
Next, observe that is a 30-60-90 right triangle. This right triangle therefore has an area of .
Adding these areas together, we get the area of the hexagon as . This means that the area of is .
The formula for the area of an equilateral triangle with side length is (if you don't have this memorized it's not hard to derive). Comparing this formula to the area of , we can easily find that , which means that the side length of is .
While this approach feels rather convoluted in comparison to Solution 1 (which only works for isosceles triangles), it is more flexible and can actually be generalized for any point in a general triangle (although that requires use of Heron's, and potentially Law of Sines and Cosines).
~IAmTheHazard
Solution 5 (Coordinate Bashing)
Suppose , , and . So . Since and , we have Solving the equations, we have From (and a fair amount of algebra), we can have . The answer is .
~Linty Huang
Solution 6 (Diagram Nuke)
Drawing out a rough sketch, it appears that . By Pythagorean, our answer is .
Proof of this fact can be found in the Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk below.
Solution 7 (Theorem Nuke)
We can use the following theorem:
,
We know that , and . Plugging these into our formula, we get . Let . Then, we have . Solving for , we get . If is equal to , then we have , but this is not possible since is inside of the triangle. This means that , and therefore .
~kn07
Solution 8 (More Coordinate Bashing)
Set the points . Then, we want to find the intersection of the three circles Subtracting circle 1 from circle 2 yields , which can be rewritten as . Subtracting circle 1 from circle 3 yields , or . Subtracting from this yields , or .
We then substitute our values for and back into , which gives us Solving this equation (the algebra is surprisingly not bad!) gives us . Since must be greater than 1, the answer is .
- curiousmind888 & TGSN
Solution 9 (Trig Bash)
Let , , by the Law of Cosine Simplifying the two equations we get
Let , , by simplifying we get: Solving the first equation for we get
Substituting this into the second equation gives
Video Solutions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUW4zcrRL54
Video Solution by Richard Rusczyk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnAXGUthO54&list=PLyhPcpM8aMvJvwA2kypmfdtlxH90ShZCc&index=4 - AMBRIGGS
See Also
2020 AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | |
Preceded by Problem 23 |
Followed by Problem 25 |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 | |
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions |
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