Difference between revisions of "1983 AIME Problems/Problem 12"

 
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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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The length of diameter <math>AB</math> is a two digit integer. Reversing the digits gives the length of a perpendicular chord <math>CD</math>. The distance from their intersection point <math>H</math> to the center <math>O</math> is a positive rational number. Determine the length of <math>AB</math>.
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[img]http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=792&sid=cfd5dae222dd7b8944719b56de7b8bf7[/img]
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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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Let <math>AB=10x+y</math> and <math>CD=10y+x</math>. It follows that <math>CO=\frac{AB}{2}=\frac{10x+y}{2}</math> and <math>CH=\frac{CD}{2}=\frac{10y+x}{2}</math>. Applying the [[Pythagorean Theorem]] on <math>CO</math> and <math>CH</math>, <math>OH=\sqrt{\left(\frac{10x+y}{2}\right)^2-\left(\frac{10y+x}{2}\right)^2}=\sqrt{\frac{9}{4}\cdot 11(x+y)(x-y)}=\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{11(x+y)(x-y)}</math>.
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Because <math>OH</math> is a positive rational number, the quantity <math>\sqrt{11(x+y)(x-y)}</math> cannot contain any square roots. Therefore, <math>x+y</math> must equal eleven and <math>x-y</math> must be a perfect square (since <math>x+y>x-y</math>). The only pair <math>(x,y)</math> that satisfies this condition is <math>(6,5)</math>, so our answer is <math>65</math>.
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* [[1983 AIME Problems/Problem 11|Previous Problem]]
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* [[1983 AIME Problems/Problem 13|Next Problem]]
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* [[1983 AIME Problems|Back to Exam]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[1983 AIME Problems]]
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* [[AIME Problems and Solutions]]
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* [[American Invitational Mathematics Examination]]
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* [[Mathematics competition resources]]
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[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]

Revision as of 23:18, 23 July 2006

Problem

The length of diameter $AB$ is a two digit integer. Reversing the digits gives the length of a perpendicular chord $CD$. The distance from their intersection point $H$ to the center $O$ is a positive rational number. Determine the length of $AB$.

[img]http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=792&sid=cfd5dae222dd7b8944719b56de7b8bf7[/img]


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Solution

Let $AB=10x+y$ and $CD=10y+x$. It follows that $CO=\frac{AB}{2}=\frac{10x+y}{2}$ and $CH=\frac{CD}{2}=\frac{10y+x}{2}$. Applying the Pythagorean Theorem on $CO$ and $CH$, $OH=\sqrt{\left(\frac{10x+y}{2}\right)^2-\left(\frac{10y+x}{2}\right)^2}=\sqrt{\frac{9}{4}\cdot 11(x+y)(x-y)}=\frac{3}{2}\sqrt{11(x+y)(x-y)}$.

Because $OH$ is a positive rational number, the quantity $\sqrt{11(x+y)(x-y)}$ cannot contain any square roots. Therefore, $x+y$ must equal eleven and $x-y$ must be a perfect square (since $x+y>x-y$). The only pair $(x,y)$ that satisfies this condition is $(6,5)$, so our answer is $65$.


See also