Difference between revisions of "2021 Fall AMC 12A Problems/Problem 13"

Latest revision as of 13:27, 1 September 2024

1 Problem
2 Diagram
3 Solution 1 (Angle Bisector Theorem)
4 Solution 2 (Analytic and Plane Geometry)
5 Solution 3 (Analytic and Plane Geometry)
6 Solution 4 (Distance Between a Point and a Line)
7 Solution 5 (Trigonometry)
8 Solution 6 (Trigonometry)
9 Solution 7 (Vectors)
10 Solution 8 (Dot Product)
11 Video Solution by TheBeautyofMath
12 See Also

Problem

The angle bisector of the acute angle formed at the origin by the graphs of the lines $y = x$ and $y=3x$ has equation $y=kx.$ What is $k?$

$\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2} \qquad \textbf{(B)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{7}}{2} \qquad \textbf{(C)} \ \frac{2+\sqrt{3}}{2} \qquad \textbf{(D)} \ 2\qquad \textbf{(E)} \ \frac{2+\sqrt{5}}{2}$

Diagram

$[asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); real xMin = -1; real xMax = 4; real yMin = -1; real yMax = 4; real k = (1+sqrt(5))/2; pair O; O = origin; draw(anglemark(dir((1,1)),O,dir((1,k)),20), red); draw(anglemark(dir((1,k)),O,dir((1,3)),20), red); add(pathticks(anglemark(dir((1,1)),O,dir((1,k)),20), n = 1, r = 0.05, s = 5, red)); add(pathticks(anglemark(dir((1,k)),O,dir((1,3)),20), n = 1, r = 0.05, s = 5, red)); draw((xMin,0)--(xMax,0),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); draw((0,yMin)--(0,yMax),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); label("$x$",(xMax,0),(2,0)); label("$y$",(0,yMax),(0,2)); label("$y=x$",4*dir((1,1))); label("$y=3x$",4*dir((1,3))); label("$y=kx$",4*dir((1,k))); draw(O--3.75*dir((1,1))^^O--3.75*dir((1,3))^^O--3.75*dir((1,k))); [/asy]$ ~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 1 (Angle Bisector Theorem)

This solution refers to the Diagram section.

Let $O=(0,0), A=(3,3), B=(1,3),$ and $C=\left(\frac3k,3\right).$ As shown below, note that $\overline{OA}, \overline{OB},$ and $\overline{OC}$ are on the lines $y=x, y=3x,$ and $y=kx,$ respectively. By the Distance Formula, we have $OA=3\sqrt2, OB=\sqrt{10}, AC=3-\frac3k,$ and $BC=\frac3k-1.$ $[asy] /* Made by MRENTHUSIASM */ size(250); real xMin = -1; real xMax = 4; real yMin = -1; real yMax = 4; real k = (1+sqrt(5))/2; pair O, A, B, C; O = origin; A = (3,3); B = (1,3); C = (3/k,3); draw(anglemark(dir((1,1)),O,dir((1,k)),20), red); draw(anglemark(dir((1,k)),O,dir((1,3)),20), red); dot("$O$",O,1.5*SW,linewidth(4.5)); dot("$A$",A,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5)); dot("$B$",B,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5)); dot("$C$",C,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5)); add(pathticks(anglemark(dir((1,1)),O,dir((1,k)),20), n = 1, r = 0.05, s = 5, red)); add(pathticks(anglemark(dir((1,k)),O,dir((1,3)),20), n = 1, r = 0.05, s = 5, red)); draw((xMin,0)--(xMax,0),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); draw((0,yMin)--(0,yMax),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); draw(A--B--O--cycle^^O--C); label("$x$",(xMax,0),(2,0)); label("$y$",(0,yMax),(0,2)); label("$3\sqrt{2}$",midpoint(O--A),1.5*E,red+fontsize(10)); label("$\sqrt{10}$",midpoint(O--B),W,red+fontsize(10)); label("$3-\frac3k$",midpoint(A--C),N,red+fontsize(10)); label("$\frac3k-1$",midpoint(B--C),N,red+fontsize(10)); [/asy]$ By the Angle Bisector Theorem, we get $\frac{OA}{OB}=\frac{AC}{BC},$ or $\begin{align*} \frac{3\sqrt2}{\sqrt{10}}&=\frac{3-\frac3k}{\frac3k-1} \\ \frac{3\sqrt2}{\sqrt{10}}&=\frac{3k-3}{3-k} \\ \frac{\sqrt2}{\sqrt{10}}&=\frac{k-1}{3-k} \\ \frac15&=\frac{(k-1)^2}{(3-k)^2} \\ 5(k-1)^2&=(3-k)^2 \\ 4k^2-4k-4&=0 \\ k^2-k-1&=0 \\ k&=\frac{1\pm\sqrt5}{2}. \end{align*}$ Since $k>0,$ the answer is $k=\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.$

Remark

The value of $k$ is known as the Golden Ratio: $\phi=\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}\approx 1.61803398875.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2 (Analytic and Plane Geometry)

$[asy] size(180); real xMin = -0.5; real xMax = 2; real yMin = -0.5; real yMax = 4.5; real k = (1+sqrt(5))/2; real m = sqrt(2); real n = sqrt(10); real q = sqrt((5+sqrt(5))/2); pair O; O = origin; draw((xMin,0)--(xMax,0),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); draw((0,yMin)--(0,yMax),black+linewidth(1.5),EndArrow(5)); label("$O$",(-0.2,-0.2),(0,0)); label("$x$",(xMax,0),(2,0)); label("$y$",(0,yMax),(0,2)); label("$A$",(1,0.95),(1,1)); label("$B$",(1,2.80),(1,3)); label("$C$",(1.06,k-0.05),(1,k)); draw(O--m*dir((1,1))^^O--n*dir((1,3))^^O--q*dir((1,k))); draw((1,1)--(1,3)); [/asy]$ Consider the graphs of $f(x)=x$ and $g(x)=3x$ . Since it will be easier to consider at unity, let $x=1$ , then we have $f(1)=1$ and $g(1)=3$ .

Now, let $O$ be $(0,0)$ , $A$ be $(1,1)$ , and $B$ be $(1,3)$ . Cutting through side $AB$ of triangle $OAB$ is the angle bisector $OC$ where $C$ is on side $AB$ .

Hence, by the Angle Bisector Theorem, we get $\frac{OB}{OA}=\frac{BC}{AC}$ .

By the Pythagorean Theorem, $OA=\sqrt{2}$ and $OB=\sqrt{10}$ . Therefore, $\frac{BC}{AC}=\sqrt{5} \implies BC=\sqrt{5}AC$ .

Since $AB=AC+BC=2$ , it is easy derive $AC+\sqrt{5}AC=2 \implies AC=\frac{2}{1+\sqrt{5}}=\frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$ .

The vertical distance between the $x$ -axis and $C$ is $\frac{-1+\sqrt{5}}{2}+1=\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$ . Because the $x$ -coordinate of point $C$ is $1$ , the slope we need to find is just the $y$ -coordinate $\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.$

~Wilhelm Z

Solution 3 (Analytic and Plane Geometry)

Let's begin by drawing a triangle that starts at the origin. Assume that the base of the triangle goes to the point $x = 1$ . The line $x = y$ is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with side length $1$ . The hypotenuse' length is $\sqrt 2$ . Then, let's draw the line $x = 3y$ . We extend it to when $x = 1$ . The length of the hypotenuse of the larger triangle is $\sqrt {10}$ with legs $1, 3$ . We then draw the angle bisector. We should label the triangle, so here we go. $AC$ is $1$ . $BC$ is $3$ . $AB$ is $\sqrt {10}$ . When the line with angle $45 ^\circ$ intersects the line $x = 1$ , call the point $D$ . When the angle bisector intersects the line $x = 1$ , call the point $E$ . By Angle Bisector Theorem, $\frac {DE}{DB} = \frac {\sqrt {2}}{\sqrt{10}}$ . Since $BC$ is $3$ and $DC$ is $1$ , we have that $BD$ is $2$ . Solving for $DE$ , we get that $DE$ is $\frac {\sqrt 5 - 1}{2}$ .

Since $DE$ is $\frac {\sqrt 5 - 1}{2}$ , we have that $CE$ is just one more than that. Therefore, $CE$ is $\frac {1+\sqrt 5}{2}$ . Since $AC$ is $1$ , we get that $k$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}$ .

Remark

The answer turns out to be the golden ratio or phi ( $\phi$ ). Phi has many properties and is related to the Fibonacci sequence. See Phi.

~Arcticturn $\blacksquare$

Solution 4 (Distance Between a Point and a Line)

Note that the distance between the point $(m,n)$ to line $Ax + By + C = 0,$ is $\frac{|Am + Bn +C|}{\sqrt{A^2 +B^2}}.$ Because line $y=kx$ is a perpendicular bisector, a point on the line $y=kx$ must be equidistant from the two lines( $y=x$ and $y=3x$ ), call this point $P(z,w).$ Because, the line $y=kx$ passes through the origin, our requested value of $k,$ which is the slope of the angle bisector line, can be found when evaluating the value of $\frac{w}{z}.$ By the Distance from Point to Line formula we get the equation, $\frac{|3z-w|}{\sqrt{10}} = \frac{|z-w|}{\sqrt{2}}.$ Note that $|3z-w|\ge 0,$ because $y=3x$ is higher than $P$ and $|z-w|\le 0,$ because $y=x$ is lower to $P.$ Thus, we solve the equation, $(3z-w)\sqrt{2} = (w-z)\sqrt{10} \Rightarrow 3z-w = \sqrt{5} \cdot(w-z)\Rightarrow (\sqrt{5} +1)w = (3+\sqrt{5})z.$ Thus, the value of $\frac{w}{z} = \frac{3+\sqrt{5}}{1+\sqrt{5}} = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}.$ Thus, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.$

(Fun Fact: The value $\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$ is the golden ratio $\phi.$ )

~NH14

Solution 5 (Trigonometry)

This problem can be trivialized using basic trig identities. Let the angle made by $y=x$ and the $x$ -axis be $\theta_{1}$ and the angle made by $y=3x$ and the $x$ -axis be $\theta_{3}$ . Note that $\tan(\theta_{1})=1$ and $\tan(\theta_{3})=3$ , and this is why we named them as such. Let the angle made by $y=kx$ be denoted as $\theta_{k}$ . Since $y=kx$ bisects the two lines, notice that $\theta_k-\theta_1=\theta_3-\theta_k.$

Now, we can take the tangent and apply the tangent subtraction formula: $\begin{align*} \tan(\theta_k-\theta_1)&=\tan(\theta_3-\theta_k)\\ \frac{\tan(\theta_k)-\tan(\theta_1)}{1+\tan(\theta_k)\tan(\theta_1)}&=\frac{\tan(\theta_3)-\tan(\theta_k)}{1+\tan(\theta_3)\tan(\theta_k)}\\ \frac{k-1}{1+k}&=\frac{3-k}{1+3k}\\ (k-1)(1+3k)&=(1+k)(3-k)\\ 3k^2-2k-1&=-k^2+2k+3\\ 4k^2-4k-4&=0\\ k^2-k-1&=0\\ \implies k&=\frac{1\pm \sqrt{5}}{2} \end{align*}$ Since $y=kx$ is increasing, $k>0$ ; thus, $k=\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.$

~Indiiiigo

Solution 6 (Trigonometry)

Denote by $\alpha_1$ , $\alpha_2$ , $\alpha_3$ the acute angles formed between the $x$ -axis and lines $y = x$ , $y = 3 x$ , $y = k x$ , respectively. Hence, $\tan \alpha_1 = 1$ , $\tan \alpha_2 = 3$ , $\tan \alpha_3 = k$ .

Denote by $\theta$ the acute angle formed by lines $y = x$ and $y = 3 x$ .

Hence, $\begin{align*} \tan \theta & = \tan \left( \alpha_2 - \alpha_1 \right) \\ & = \frac{\tan \alpha_2 - \tan \alpha_1}{1 + \tan \alpha_1 \tan \alpha_2} \\ &= \frac{3 - 1}{1 + 1 \cdot 3} \\ & = \frac{1}{2} . \end{align*}$

Following from the double-angle identity, we have $\tan \theta = \frac{2 \tan \frac{\theta}{2}}{1 - \tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}} .$

Hence, $\tan \frac{\theta}{2} = - 2 \pm \sqrt{5}$ .

Because $\theta$ is acute, $\frac{\theta}{2}$ is acute. Hence, $\tan \frac{\theta}{2} > 0$ . Hence, $\tan \frac{\theta}{2} = - 2 + \sqrt{5}$ .

Because line $y = kx$ is the angle bisector of $\theta$ , the angle between lines $y = x$ and $y = k x$ is $\frac{\theta}{2}$ .

Hence, $\begin{align*} \tan \alpha_3 & = \tan \left( \alpha_1 + \frac{\theta}{2} \right) \\ & = \frac{\tan \alpha_1 + \tan \frac{\theta}{2}}{1 - \tan \alpha_1 \tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \\ &= \frac{1 + \left( - 2 + \sqrt{5} \right)}{1 - 1 \cdot \left( - 2 + \sqrt{5} \right) } \\ & = \frac{\sqrt{5} - 1}{3 - \sqrt{5}} \\ & = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} . \end{align*}$

Therefore, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A) }\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}}$ .

~Steven Chen (www.professorchenedu.com)

Solution 7 (Vectors)

When drawing the lines $y=x$ and $y=3x$ , it is natural to choose points $A(1,1)$ and $B(1,3)$ together with origin $O$ . See the figure attached. We utilize the fact that if $\mathbf{u}$ and $\mathbf{v}$ are vectors of same length, then $\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}$ bisects the angle between $\mathbf{u}$ and $\mathbf{v}$ .

In particular, we scale the vector $\overrightarrow{OA} = (1,1)$ by the factor of $\frac{OB}{OA} = \frac{\sqrt{10}}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{5}$ to get $\overrightarrow{OA'} \coloneqq \sqrt{5}\,\overrightarrow{OA} = \left(\sqrt{5}, \sqrt{5}\right)$ . So by adding vectors $\overrightarrow{OA'}$ and $\overrightarrow{OB} = (1,3)$ we get ${\color[rgb]{0.666667,0,0}\overrightarrow{OC}} \coloneqq {\color[rgb]{0,0.4,0.65}\overrightarrow{OA'}} + {\color[rgb]{0,0.4,0.65}\overrightarrow{OB}} = \left( 1 + \sqrt{5}, 3 + \sqrt{5} \right)$ which bisects the acute angle formed by lines $OA: y = x$ and $OB: y = 3x$ . (In other words, quadrilateral $OBCA'$ is a rhombus.) Finally, observe that $C\!\left(1+\sqrt{5}, 3+\sqrt{5}\right)$ lies on the line $y = kx$ whose slope is $k = \frac{3+\sqrt{5}}{1+\sqrt{5}} = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}.$ Thus, the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\;\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}$ . $\blacksquare$

~VensL.

Solution 8 (Dot Product)

We notice that the line $y = x$ can be represented as the vector $\vec{A} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}$ and $y = 3x$ as $\vec{B} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 3 \end{bmatrix}$ as the "slope" of both vectors represent the coefficient of $x$ .

Then, we can represent $y = kx$ as $\vec{C} = \begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ k \end{bmatrix}$ and notice that since $C$ is in essence an angle bisector, $\theta = \angle \vec{A}\vec{C} = \angle \vec{B}\vec{C}$

$A \cdot C = |A|\cdot|C|\cos(\theta_1)$ where $\theta_1 = \angle \vec{A}\vec{C} = \theta$ $B \cdot C = |B|\cdot|C|\cos(\theta_2)$ where $\theta_2 = \angle \vec{B}\vec{C} = \theta$

Since both $\theta_i$ 's are equivalent, we may simply represent them with $\theta$ .

Simplifying both equations by performing the necessary operations, we get

$1+k = \sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cdot \cos(\theta) \implies \frac{1+k}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cos(\theta)$

$1+3k = \sqrt{10} \cdot \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cdot \cos(\theta)$

Substituting the first into the second, we get $1 + 3k = \sqrt{10} \cdot \frac{1+k}{\sqrt{2}} \implies k=\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}$

~ $\color{magenta} zoomanTV$

Video Solution by TheBeautyofMath

https://youtu.be/ToiOlqWz3LY?t=504

~IceMatrix

@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 draw(anglemark(dir((1,k)),O,dir((1,3)),20), red);
-dot("$O$",O,1.5*SW,linewidth(5));
+dot("$O$",O,1.5*SW,linewidth(4.5));
-dot("$A$",A,1.5*N,linewidth(5));
+dot("$A$",A,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5));
-dot("$B$",B,1.5*N,linewidth(5));
+dot("$B$",B,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5));
-dot("$C$",C,1.5*N,linewidth(5));
+dot("$C$",C,1.5*N,linewidth(4.5));
 add(pathticks(anglemark(dir((1,1)),O,dir((1,k)),20), n = 1, r = 0.05, s = 5, red));
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 ~MRENTHUSIASM
-==Solution 2 (Test <math>x=1</math>) ==
+==Solution 2 (Analytic and Plane Geometry) ==
 <asy>
 size(180);
@@ Line 136: / Line 136: @@
 ~Wilhelm Z
-==Solution 3 (Distance Between a Point and a Line)==
+==Solution 3 (Analytic and Plane Geometry)==
+Let's begin by drawing a triangle that starts at the origin. Assume that the base of the triangle goes to the point <math>x = 1</math>. The line <math>x = y</math> is the hypotenuse of a right triangle with side length <math>1</math>. The hypotenuse' length is <math>\sqrt 2</math>. Then, let's draw the line <math>x = 3y</math>. We extend it to when <math>x = 1</math>. The length of the hypotenuse of the larger triangle is <math>\sqrt {10}</math> with legs <math>1, 3</math>. We then draw the angle bisector. We should label the triangle, so here we go. <math>AC</math> is <math>1</math>. <math>BC</math> is <math>3</math>. <math>AB</math> is <math>\sqrt {10}</math>. When the line with angle <math>45 ^\circ</math> intersects the line <math>x = 1</math>, call the point <math>D</math>. When the angle bisector intersects the line <math>x = 1</math>, call the point <math>E</math>. By Angle Bisector Theorem, <math>\frac {DE}{DB} = \frac {\sqrt {2}}{\sqrt{10}}</math>. Since <math>BC</math> is <math>3</math> and <math>DC</math> is <math>1</math>, we have that <math>BD</math> is <math>2</math>. Solving for <math>DE</math>, we get that <math>DE</math> is <math>\frac {\sqrt 5 - 1}{2}</math>.
+Since <math>DE</math> is <math>\frac {\sqrt 5 - 1}{2}</math>, we have that <math>CE</math> is just one more than that. Therefore, <math>CE</math> is <math>\frac {1+\sqrt 5}{2}</math>. Since <math>AC</math> is <math>1</math>, we get that <math>k</math> is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}</math>.
+<u><b>Remark</b></u>
+The answer turns out to be the golden ratio or phi (<math>\phi</math>). Phi has many properties and is related to the [[Fibonacci sequence]]. See [[Phi]].
+~Arcticturn <math>\blacksquare</math>
+==Solution 4 (Distance Between a Point and a Line)==
 Note that the distance between the point <math>(m,n)</math> to line <math>Ax + By + C = 0,</math> is <math>\frac{|Am + Bn +C|}{\sqrt{A^2 +B^2}}.</math> Because line <math>y=kx</math> is a perpendicular bisector, a point on the line <math>y=kx</math> must be equidistant from the two lines(<math>y=x</math> and <math>y=3x</math>), call this point <math>P(z,w).</math> Because, the line <math>y=kx</math> passes through the origin, our requested value of <math>k,</math> which is the slope of the angle bisector line, can be found when evaluating the value of <math>\frac{w}{z}.</math> By the Distance from Point to Line formula we get the equation, <cmath>\frac{|3z-w|}{\sqrt{10}} = \frac{|z-w|}{\sqrt{2}}.</cmath> Note that <math>|3z-w|\ge 0,</math> because <math>y=3x</math> is higher than <math>P</math> and <math>|z-w|\le 0,</math> because <math>y=x</math> is lower to <math>P.</math> Thus, we solve the equation, <cmath>(3z-w)\sqrt{2} = (w-z)\sqrt{10} \Rightarrow  3z-w = \sqrt{5} \cdot(w-z)\Rightarrow (\sqrt{5} +1)w = (3+\sqrt{5})z.</cmath> Thus, the value of <math>\frac{w}{z} = \frac{3+\sqrt{5}}{1+\sqrt{5}} = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}.</math> Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.</math>
@@ Line 143: / Line 154: @@
 ~NH14
+== Solution 5 (Trigonometry) ==
+This problem can be trivialized using basic trig identities. Let the angle made by <math>y=x</math> and the <math>x</math>-axis be <math>\theta_{1}</math> and the angle made by <math>y=3x</math> and the <math>x</math>-axis be <math>\theta_{3}</math>. Note that <math>\tan(\theta_{1})=1</math> and <math>\tan(\theta_{3})=3</math>, and this is why we named them as such. Let the angle made by <math>y=kx</math> be denoted as <math>\theta_{k}</math>. Since <math>y=kx</math> bisects the two lines, notice that
+<cmath>\theta_k-\theta_1=\theta_3-\theta_k.</cmath>
+Now, we can take the tangent and apply the tangent subtraction formula:
+<cmath>
+\begin{align*}
+\tan(\theta_k-\theta_1)&=\tan(\theta_3-\theta_k)\\
+\frac{\tan(\theta_k)-\tan(\theta_1)}{1+\tan(\theta_k)\tan(\theta_1)}&=\frac{\tan(\theta_3)-\tan(\theta_k)}{1+\tan(\theta_3)\tan(\theta_k)}\\
+\frac{k-1}{1+k}&=\frac{3-k}{1+3k}\\
+(k-1)(1+3k)&=(1+k)(3-k)\\
+k^2-2k-1&=-k^2+2k+3\\
+k^2-4k-4&=0\\
+k^2-k-1&=0\\
+\implies k&=\frac{1\pm \sqrt{5}}{2}
+\end{align*}
+</cmath>
+Since <math>y=kx</math> is increasing, <math>k>0</math>; thus, <math>k=\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}.</math>
+~Indiiiigo
+== Solution 6 (Trigonometry) ==
+Denote by <math>\alpha_1</math>, <math>\alpha_2</math>, <math>\alpha_3</math> the acute angles formed between the <math>x</math>-axis and lines <math>y = x</math>, <math>y = 3 x</math>, <math>y = k x</math>, respectively.
+Hence, <math>\tan \alpha_1 = 1</math>, <math>\tan \alpha_2 = 3</math>, <math>\tan \alpha_3 = k</math>.
+Denote by <math>\theta</math> the acute angle formed by lines <math>y = x</math> and <math>y = 3 x</math>.
+Hence,
+<cmath>
+\begin{align*}
+\tan \theta & = \tan \left( \alpha_2 - \alpha_1 \right) \\
+& = \frac{\tan \alpha_2 - \tan \alpha_1}{1 + \tan \alpha_1 \tan \alpha_2} \\
+&= \frac{3 - 1}{1 + 1 \cdot 3} \\
+& = \frac{1}{2} .
+\end{align*}
+</cmath>
+Following from the double-angle identity, we have
+<cmath>
+\[
+\tan \theta = \frac{2 \tan \frac{\theta}{2}}{1 - \tan^2 \frac{\theta}{2}} .
+\]
+</cmath>
+Hence, <math>\tan \frac{\theta}{2} = - 2 \pm \sqrt{5}</math>.
+Because <math>\theta</math> is acute, <math>\frac{\theta}{2}</math> is acute.
+Hence, <math>\tan \frac{\theta}{2} > 0</math>.
+Hence, <math>\tan \frac{\theta}{2} = - 2 + \sqrt{5}</math>.
+Because line <math>y = kx</math> is the angle bisector of <math>\theta</math>, the angle between lines <math>y = x</math> and <math>y = k x</math> is <math>\frac{\theta}{2}</math>.
+Hence,
+<cmath>
+\begin{align*}
+\tan \alpha_3 & = \tan \left( \alpha_1 + \frac{\theta}{2} \right) \\
+& = \frac{\tan \alpha_1 + \tan \frac{\theta}{2}}{1 - \tan \alpha_1 \tan \frac{\theta}{2}} \\
+&= \frac{1 + \left( - 2 + \sqrt{5} \right)}{1 - 1 \cdot \left( - 2 + \sqrt{5} \right) } \\
+& = \frac{\sqrt{5} - 1}{3 - \sqrt{5}} \\
+& = \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} .
+\end{align*}
+</cmath>
+Therefore, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A) }\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2}}</math>.
+~Steven Chen (www.professorchenedu.com)
+== Solution 7 (Vectors) ==
+[[Image:2021FallAMC12AProblem13.png|center|500px]]
+When drawing the lines <math>y=x</math> and <math>y=3x</math>, it is natural to choose points <math>A(1,1)</math> and <math>B(1,3)</math> together with origin <math>O</math>. See the figure attached.
+We utilize the fact that if <math>\mathbf{u}</math> and <math>\mathbf{v}</math> are vectors of same length, then <math>\mathbf{u} + \mathbf{v}</math> bisects the angle between <math>\mathbf{u}</math> and <math>\mathbf{v}</math>.
+In particular, we scale the vector <math>\overrightarrow{OA} = (1,1)</math> by the factor of <math>\frac{OB}{OA} = \frac{\sqrt{10}}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{5}</math> to get <math> \overrightarrow{OA'} \coloneqq \sqrt{5}\,\overrightarrow{OA} = \left(\sqrt{5}, \sqrt{5}\right)</math>.
+So by adding vectors <math>\overrightarrow{OA'}</math> and <math>\overrightarrow{OB} = (1,3)</math> we get
+<cmath>
+     {\color[rgb]{0.666667,0,0}\overrightarrow{OC}}
+     \coloneqq {\color[rgb]{0,0.4,0.65}\overrightarrow{OA'}} + {\color[rgb]{0,0.4,0.65}\overrightarrow{OB}}
+     = \left( 1 + \sqrt{5}, 3 + \sqrt{5} \right)
+</cmath>
+which bisects the acute angle formed by lines <math>OA: y = x</math> and <math>OB: y = 3x</math>. (In other words, quadrilateral <math>OBCA'</math> is a rhombus.)
+Finally, observe that <math>C\!\left(1+\sqrt{5}, 3+\sqrt{5}\right)</math> lies on the line <math>y = kx</math> whose slope is
+<cmath>
+     k = \frac{3+\sqrt{5}}{1+\sqrt{5}} = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}.
+</cmath>
+Thus, the answer is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(A)}\;\frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}</math>. <math>\blacksquare</math>
+~VensL.
+== Solution 8 (Dot Product) ==
+We notice that the line <math>y = x</math> can be represented as the vector <math>\vec{A} = \begin{bmatrix}
+\\ 1
+    \end{bmatrix}</math>
+and <math>y = 3x</math> as <math>\vec{B} = \begin{bmatrix}
+\\ 3
+    \end{bmatrix}</math>
+as the "slope" of both vectors represent the coefficient of <math>x</math>.
+Then, we can represent <math>y = kx</math> as <math>\vec{C} = \begin{bmatrix}
+\\ k
+    \end{bmatrix}</math> and notice that since <math>C</math> is in essence an angle bisector, <cmath>\theta = \angle \vec{A}\vec{C} = \angle \vec{B}\vec{C}</cmath>
+<cmath>A \cdot C = |A|\cdot|C|\cos(\theta_1)</cmath> where <math>\theta_1 = \angle \vec{A}\vec{C} = \theta</math>
+<cmath>B \cdot C = |B|\cdot|C|\cos(\theta_2)</cmath> where <math>\theta_2 = \angle \vec{B}\vec{C} = \theta</math>
+Since both <math>\theta_i</math>'s are equivalent, we may simply represent them with <math>\theta</math>.
+Simplifying both equations by performing the necessary operations, we get
+<cmath>1+k = \sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cdot \cos(\theta) \implies \frac{1+k}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cos(\theta)</cmath>
+<cmath>1+3k = \sqrt{10} \cdot \sqrt{k^2 + 1} \cdot \cos(\theta)</cmath>
+Substituting the first into the second, we get
+<cmath>1 + 3k = \sqrt{10} \cdot \frac{1+k}{\sqrt{2}} \implies k=\boxed{\textbf{(A)} \ \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}}</cmath>
+~ <math>\color{magenta} zoomanTV</math>
+==Video Solution by TheBeautyofMath==
+https://youtu.be/ToiOlqWz3LY?t=504
+~IceMatrix
 ==See Also==
 {{AMC12 box|year=2021 Fall|ab=A|num-b=12|num-a=14}}
 {{MAA Notice}}

2021 Fall AMC 12A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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