Difference between revisions of "2010 AIME II Problems/Problem 15"

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Source: [http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=1831745#p1831745] by Zhero
 
Source: [http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=1831745#p1831745] by Zhero
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== Extension ==
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The work done in this problem leads to a nice extension of this problem:
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Given a <math>\triangle ABC</math> and points <math>A_1</math>, <math>A_2</math>, <math>B_1</math>, <math>B_2</math>, <math>C_1</math>, <math>C_2</math>, such that <math>A_1</math>, <math>A_2</math> <math>\in BC</math>, <math>B_1</math>, <math>B_2</math> <math>\in AC</math>, and <math>C_1</math>, <math>C_2</math> <math>\in AB</math>, then let <math>\omega_1</math> be the circumcircle of <math>\triangle AB_1C_1</math> and <math>\omega_2</math> be the circumcircle of <math>\triangle AB_2C_2</math>. Let <math>A'</math> be the intersection point of <math>\omega_1</math> and <math>\omega_2</math> distinct from <math>A</math>. Define <math>B'</math> and <math>C'</math> similarly. Then <math>AA'</math>, <math>BB'</math>, and <math>CC'</math> concur.
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This can be proven using Ceva's theorem and the work done in this problem, which effectively allows us to compute the ratio that line <math>AA'</math> divides the opposite side <math>BC</math> into and similarly for the other two sides.
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==See Also==
 
==See Also==
 
{{AIME box|year=2010|n=II|num-b=14|after=Last Problem}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2010|n=II|num-b=14|after=Last Problem}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 18:01, 10 December 2016

Problem 15

In triangle $ABC$, $AC = 13$, $BC = 14$, and $AB=15$. Points $M$ and $D$ lie on $AC$ with $AM=MC$ and $\angle ABD = \angle DBC$. Points $N$ and $E$ lie on $A$B with $AN=NB$ and $\angle ACE = \angle ECB$. Let $P$ be the point, other than $A$, of intersection of the circumcircles of $\triangle AMN$ and $\triangle ADE$. Ray $AP$ meets $BC$ at $Q$. The ratio $\frac{BQ}{CQ}$ can be written in the form $\frac{m}{n}$, where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m-n$.

Solution

Let $Y = MN \cap AQ$. $\frac {BQ}{QC} = \frac {NY}{MY}$ since $\triangle AMN \sim \triangle ACB$. Since quadrilateral $AMPN$ is cyclic, $\triangle MYA \sim \triangle PYN$ and $\triangle MYP \sim \triangle AYN$, yielding $\frac {YM}{YA} = \frac {MP}{AN}$ and $\frac {YA}{YN} = \frac {AM}{PN}$. Multiplying these together yields $\frac {YN}{YM} = \left(\frac {AN}{AM}\right) \left(\frac {PN}{PM}\right)$.

$\frac {AN}{AM} = \frac {\frac {AB}{2}}{\frac {AC}{2}} = \frac {15}{13}$. Also, $P$ is the center of spiral similarity of segments $MD$ and $NE$, so $\triangle PMD \sim \triangle PNE$. Therefore, $\frac {PN}{PM} = \frac {NE}{MD}$, which can easily be computed by the angle bisector theorem to be $\frac {145}{117}$. It follows that $\frac {BQ}{CQ} = \frac {15}{13} \cdot \frac {145}{117} = \frac {725}{507}$, giving us an answer of $725 - 507 = \boxed{218}$.

Note: Spiral similarities may sound complex, but they're really not. The fact that $\triangle PMD \sim \triangle PNE$ is really just a result of simple angle chasing.

Source: [1] by Zhero

Extension

The work done in this problem leads to a nice extension of this problem:

Given a $\triangle ABC$ and points $A_1$, $A_2$, $B_1$, $B_2$, $C_1$, $C_2$, such that $A_1$, $A_2$ $\in BC$, $B_1$, $B_2$ $\in AC$, and $C_1$, $C_2$ $\in AB$, then let $\omega_1$ be the circumcircle of $\triangle AB_1C_1$ and $\omega_2$ be the circumcircle of $\triangle AB_2C_2$. Let $A'$ be the intersection point of $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$ distinct from $A$. Define $B'$ and $C'$ similarly. Then $AA'$, $BB'$, and $CC'$ concur.

This can be proven using Ceva's theorem and the work done in this problem, which effectively allows us to compute the ratio that line $AA'$ divides the opposite side $BC$ into and similarly for the other two sides.

See Also

2010 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 14
Followed by
Last Problem
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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