Difference between revisions of "1996 AHSME Problems/Problem 30"
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Plugging in and solving, we see <math>AD=\frac{360}{49}</math>. Thus, the answer is <math>360 + 49 = 409</math>, which is answer choice <math>\boxed{\textbf{(E)}}</math>. | Plugging in and solving, we see <math>AD=\frac{360}{49}</math>. Thus, the answer is <math>360 + 49 = 409</math>, which is answer choice <math>\boxed{\textbf{(E)}}</math>. | ||
− | ==Solution | + | ==Solution 3== |
Let <math>x</math> be the desired length. One can use Parameshvara's circumradius formula, which states that for a cyclic quadrilateral with sides <math>a, b, c, d</math> the circumradius <math>R</math> satisfies <cmath>R^2=\frac{1}{16}\cdot\frac{(ab+cd)(ac+bd)(ad+bc)}{(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)},</cmath> where <math>s</math> is the semiperimeter. Applying this to the trapezoid with sides <math>3, 3, 3, x</math>, we see that many terms cancel and we are left with <cmath>R^2=\frac{27}{9-x}</cmath> Similar canceling occurs for the trapezoid with sides <math>5, 5, 5, x</math>, and since the two quadrilaterals share the same circumradius, we can equate: <cmath>\frac{27}{9-x}=\frac{125}{15-x}</cmath> Solving for <math>x</math> gives <math>x=\frac{360}{49}</math>, so the answer is <math>\fbox{(E) 409}</math>. | Let <math>x</math> be the desired length. One can use Parameshvara's circumradius formula, which states that for a cyclic quadrilateral with sides <math>a, b, c, d</math> the circumradius <math>R</math> satisfies <cmath>R^2=\frac{1}{16}\cdot\frac{(ab+cd)(ac+bd)(ad+bc)}{(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)(s-d)},</cmath> where <math>s</math> is the semiperimeter. Applying this to the trapezoid with sides <math>3, 3, 3, x</math>, we see that many terms cancel and we are left with <cmath>R^2=\frac{27}{9-x}</cmath> Similar canceling occurs for the trapezoid with sides <math>5, 5, 5, x</math>, and since the two quadrilaterals share the same circumradius, we can equate: <cmath>\frac{27}{9-x}=\frac{125}{15-x}</cmath> Solving for <math>x</math> gives <math>x=\frac{360}{49}</math>, so the answer is <math>\fbox{(E) 409}</math>. |
Revision as of 13:31, 18 June 2017
Contents
[hide]Problem
A hexagon inscribed in a circle has three consecutive sides each of length 3 and three consecutive sides each of length 5. The chord of the circle that divides the hexagon into two trapezoids, one with three sides each of length 3 and the other with three sides each of length 5, has length equal to , where and are relatively prime positive integers. Find .
Solution 1
In hexagon , let and let . Since arc is one third of the circumference of the circle, it follows that . Similarly, . Let be the intersection of and , that of and , and that of and . Triangles and are equilateral, and by symmetry, triangle is isosceles and thus also equilateral.
Furthermore, and subtend the same arc, as do and . Hence triangles and are similar. Therefore, It follows that Solving the two equations simultaneously yields so
Solution 2
All angle measures are in degrees. Let the first trapezoid be , where . Then the second trapezoid is , where . We look for .
Since is an isosceles trapezoid, we know that and, since , if we drew , we would see . Anyway, ( means arc AB). Using similar reasoning, .
Let and . Since (add up the angles), and thus . Therefore, . as well.
Now I focus on triangle . By the Law of Cosines, , so . Seeing and , we can now use the Law of Sines to get:
Now I focus on triangle . and , and we are given that , so We know , but we need to find . Using various identities, we see Returning to finding , we remember Plugging in and solving, we see . Thus, the answer is , which is answer choice .
Solution 3
Let be the desired length. One can use Parameshvara's circumradius formula, which states that for a cyclic quadrilateral with sides the circumradius satisfies where is the semiperimeter. Applying this to the trapezoid with sides , we see that many terms cancel and we are left with Similar canceling occurs for the trapezoid with sides , and since the two quadrilaterals share the same circumradius, we can equate: Solving for gives , so the answer is .
See also
1996 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 29 |
Followed by Last Problem | |
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