Difference between revisions of "2000 AIME II Problems/Problem 8"
Mathgeek2006 (talk | contribs) (→Solution) |
|||
Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
== Solution == | == Solution == | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Solution 1 === | ||
Let <math>x = BC</math> be the height of the trapezoid, and let <math>y = CD</math>. Since <math>AC \perp BD</math>, it follows that <math>\triangle BAC \sim \triangle CBD</math>, so <math>\frac{x}{\sqrt{11}} = \frac{y}{x} \Longrightarrow x^2 = y\sqrt{11}</math>. | Let <math>x = BC</math> be the height of the trapezoid, and let <math>y = CD</math>. Since <math>AC \perp BD</math>, it follows that <math>\triangle BAC \sim \triangle CBD</math>, so <math>\frac{x}{\sqrt{11}} = \frac{y}{x} \Longrightarrow x^2 = y\sqrt{11}</math>. | ||
Line 17: | Line 19: | ||
MP("\sqrt{11}",(A+B)/2,N);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("x",(B+C)/2,W);MP("y",(D+C)/2);D(rightanglemark(B,IP(A--C,B--D),C,20)); | MP("\sqrt{11}",(A+B)/2,N);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("\sqrt{1001}",(A+D)/2,NE);MP("x",(B+C)/2,W);MP("y",(D+C)/2);D(rightanglemark(B,IP(A--C,B--D),C,20)); | ||
</asy></center> | </asy></center> | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Solution 2 === | ||
+ | Let <math>BC=x</math>. Dropping the altitude from <math>A</math> and using the Pythagorean Theorem tells us that <math>CD=\sqrt{11}+\sqrt{1001-x^2}</math>. Therefore, we know that vector <math>\vec{BD}=\langle \sqrt{11}+\sqrt{1001-x^2},-x\rangle</math> and vector <math>\vec{AC}=\langle-\sqrt{11},-x\rangle</math>. Now we know that these vectors are perpendicular, so their dot product is 0.<cmath>\vec{BD}\cdot \vec{AC}=-11-\sqrt{11(1001-x^2)}+x^2=0</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>(x^2-11)^2=11(1001-x^2)</cmath> | ||
+ | <cmath>x^4-11x^2-11\cdot 990=0.</cmath> | ||
+ | As above, we can solve this quadratic to get the positve solution <math>BC=x^2=\boxed{110}</math>. | ||
== See also == | == See also == |
Revision as of 23:21, 22 July 2013
Contents
[hide]Problem
In trapezoid , leg is perpendicular to bases and , and diagonals and are perpendicular. Given that and , find .
Solution
Solution 1
Let be the height of the trapezoid, and let . Since , it follows that , so .
Let be the foot of the altitude from to . Then , and is a right triangle. By the Pythagorean Theorem,
The positive solution to this quadratic equation is .
Solution 2
Let . Dropping the altitude from and using the Pythagorean Theorem tells us that . Therefore, we know that vector and vector . Now we know that these vectors are perpendicular, so their dot product is 0. As above, we can solve this quadratic to get the positve solution .
See also
2000 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 7 |
Followed by Problem 9 | |
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 | ||
All AIME Problems and Solutions |
The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions.