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Difference between revisions of "2017 AIME II Problems/Problem 13"

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For each integer <math>n\geq3</math>, let <math>f(n)</math> be the number of <math>3</math>-element subsets of the vertices of the regular <math>n</math>-gon that are the vertices of an isosceles triangle (including equilateral triangles). Find the sum of all values of <math>n</math> such that <math>f(n+1)=f(n)+78</math>.
 
For each integer <math>n\geq3</math>, let <math>f(n)</math> be the number of <math>3</math>-element subsets of the vertices of the regular <math>n</math>-gon that are the vertices of an isosceles triangle (including equilateral triangles). Find the sum of all values of <math>n</math> such that <math>f(n+1)=f(n)+78</math>.
  
−
==Solution==
+
==Solution 1==
 
Considering <math>n \pmod{6}</math>, we have the following formulas:
 
Considering <math>n \pmod{6}</math>, we have the following formulas:
  
−
Even and a multiple of 3: <math>\frac{n(n-4)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}</math>
+
<math>n\equiv 0</math>: <math>\frac{n(n-4)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}</math>
  
−
Even and not a multiple of 3: <math>\frac{n(n-2)}{2}</math>
+
<math>n\equiv 2, 4</math>: <math>\frac{n(n-2)}{2}</math>
  
−
Odd and a multiple of 3: <math>\frac{n(n-3)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}</math>
+
<math>n\equiv 3</math>: <math>\frac{n(n-3)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}</math>
  
−
Odd and not a multiple of 3: <math>\frac{n(n-1)}{2}</math>
+
<math>n\equiv 1, 5</math>: <math>\frac{n(n-1)}{2}</math>
  
 
To derive these formulas, we note the following:
 
To derive these formulas, we note the following:
Line 76: Line 76:
 
In summary, the possible <math>n</math> are <math>36, 52, 157</math>, which add to <math>\boxed{245}</math>.
 
In summary, the possible <math>n</math> are <math>36, 52, 157</math>, which add to <math>\boxed{245}</math>.
  
−
== Solution 3 (Simple Concept but Tedious) ==
+
== Solution 3 ==
  
−
We first notice that when a polygon has <math>n</math> sides where <math>n\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, there cannot exist any three vertices that form an equilateral triangle. Also, the parody of <math>n</math> and <math>n+1</math> also matters, since they influence how many isosceles triangles including equilateral triangles exist in the polygon. We can model an equation <math>2x+y=n</math>, where the lines that connect the vertices that are congruent are <math>x</math> vertices apart and the other line is <math>y</math> vertices apart. If <math>n</math> is even, there are <math>\frac{n-2}{2}</math> solutions for <math>(x,y)</math> which would determine the "type" of isosceles triangle. Note that we subtract two since <math>y</math> cannot be zero. If <math>n</math> is odd, there are <math>\frac{n-1}{2}</math> solutions for <math>(x,y)</math>.
+
We first notice that when a polygon has <math>s</math> sides where <math>s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, there cannot exist any three vertices that form an equilateral triangle. Also, the parity of <math>s</math> and <math>s+1</math> also matters, since they influence how many isosceles triangles including equilateral triangles exist in the polygon. We can model an equation <math>2x+y=s</math>, where the lines that are congruent connect the vertices that are <math>x</math> vertices apart and the other line has vertices that are <math>y</math> vertices apart. If <math>s</math> is even, there are <math>\frac{s-2}{2}</math> solutions for <math>(x,y)</math> which would create a unique type of isosceles triangle. We subtract two since <math>y</math> cannot be zero. If <math>s</math> is odd, there are <math>\frac{s-1}{2}</math> solutions for <math>(x,y)</math>.
−
Next, we do casework on the congruence of <math>n</math> mod <math>3</math> and the parody of <math>n</math> using the information above:
+
Next, we do casework on the congruence of <math>s\pmod{3}</math> and the parody of <math>s</math> using the information above:
  
−
Case <math>1</math>:
+
Case 1:
  
−
<math>n\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is even, <math>n+1</math> is odd
+
<math>s</math> is even, <math>s+1</math> is odd
  
−
There are <math>\frac{n-2}{2}</math> "types" of isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>n</math> sides. Each isosceles triangle has a "unique point" which connects the two congruent sides. Therefore, for each "type" of triangle, there exists <math>n</math> of those triangles since the "unique point" can be any of the <math>n</math> vertices. There are <math>\frac{n}{2}</math> "types" of isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>n+1</math> sides and <math>n+1</math> unique points for each "type" of triangle. Therefore, <math>\frac{n}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}-\frac{n-2}{2}\cdot{(n)}=78</math>. Solving, we get <math>n=52</math>
+
There are <math>\frac{s-2}{2}</math> unique types of isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>s</math> sides. Each isosceles triangle has a unique point which connects the two congruent sides. Therefore, for each type of isosceles triangle, there exists <math>s</math> of those triangles since the unique point can be any of the <math>s</math> vertices. There are <math>\frac{s}{2}</math> types of isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>s+1</math> sides and <math>s+1</math> unique points for each type of triangle. Therefore, <math>\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78</math>. Solving, we get <math>s=52</math>.
  
−
Case <math>2</math>:
+
Case 2:
  
−
<math>n\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is odd, <math>n+1</math> is even
+
<math>s</math> is odd, <math>s+1</math> is even
  
−
Following similar logic as above, there are <math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>n</math> sided polygon. There are <math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>n+1</math> sided polygon. The difference should be <math>78</math>, so <math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}-\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n)}=78</math>. Solving gives <math>n=157</math>.
+
Using similar logic, there are <math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>s</math> sided polygon. There are <math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>s+1</math> sided polygon. The difference should be <math>78</math>, so <math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78</math>. Solving gives <math>s=157</math>.
  
−
For both of these cases, we don't have to worry about equilateral triangles since none of these cases contain values <math>n</math> and <math>n+1</math> that divide <math>3</math>.
+
For both of these cases, we don't have to worry about equilateral triangles since in both cases <math>s,s+1\nmid3</math>.
  
−
Case <math>3</math>:
+
Case 3:
  
−
<math>n\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is even, <math>n+1</math> is odd
+
<math>s</math> is even, <math>s+1</math> is odd
  
−
There are <math>\frac{n-2}{2}\cdot{(n)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>n</math> sided polygon. The <math>n+1</math> case is a bit more complicated, as we have to consider equilateral triangles as well. In this case, there is one solution where <math>x=y</math>, which would give an equilateral triangle. Therefore, we subtract that case to calculate only isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides. Only isosceles triangles with exactly 2 congruent sides have a unique point, while there exist only <math>\frac{n+1}{3}</math> distinct equilateral triangles in a polygon with <math>n+1</math> sides, the rest are equivalent and symmetrical. Therefore, there are <math>(\frac{n}{2}-1)\cdot{(n+1)}+\frac{n+1}{3}</math> isosceles triangles with at least 2 congruent sides in a polygon with <math>n+1</math> sides. Therefore,<math>\frac{n}{2}-1\cdot{(n+1)}+(\frac{n+1}{3})-\frac{n-2}{2}\cdot{(n)}=78</math>. Solving yields <math>5n=772</math> which is impossible since <math>x</math> has to be an integer. Therefore, this case is not valid.
+
There are <math>\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}</math> possible isosceles triangles in the <math>s</math> sided polygon. The <math>s+1</math> case is a bit more complicated, as we have to consider equilateral triangles as well. In this case, there is one solution where <math>x=y</math>, which would produce an equilateral triangle. Therefore, we subtract that case to calculate only isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides. Only isosceles triangles with exactly 2 congruent sides have a unique point, while there exist only <math>\frac{s+1}{3}</math> distinct equilateral triangles in a polygon with <math>s+1</math> sides, the rest are equivalent and symmetrical. Therefore, there are <math>(\frac{s}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}+\frac{s+1}{3}</math> isosceles triangles with at least 2 congruent sides in a polygon with <math>s+1</math> sides. Putting it together, <math>\frac{s}{2}-1\cdot{(s+1)}+(\frac{s+1}{3})-\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78</math>. Solving yields <math>5s=772</math> which is impossible since <math>s</math> has to be an integer. Therefore, this case is not valid.
  
−
Case <math>4</math>:
+
Case 4:
  
−
<math>n\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is odd, <math>n+1</math> is even
+
<math>s</math> is odd, <math>s+1</math> is even
  
−
There are  <math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n)}</math> isosceles triangles in the <math>n</math> sided polygon. There are <math>(\frac{n-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(n+1)}</math> isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides in an <math>n+1</math> sided polygon. There are <math>\frac{n+1}{3}-1</math> equilateral triangles. Therefore,  <math>(\frac{n-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(n+1)}+(\frac{n+1}{3}-1)-\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n)}=78</math>. Looking at the left hand side, it is clear that <math>n</math> has to be negative, which is not valid. Therefore, this case is not valid.
+
There are  <math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}</math> isosceles triangles in the <math>s</math> sided polygon. Using the idea above, there are <math>(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}</math> isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides in an <math>s+1</math> sided polygon. There are <math>\frac{s+1}{3}</math> equilateral triangles. Therefore,  <math>(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}+(\frac{s+1}{3})-\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78</math>. Looking at the left hand side, it is clear that <math>s</math> has to be negative, which is not valid. Therefore, this case is not valid.
  
−
Case <math>5</math>:
+
Case 5:
  
−
<math>n\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is even, <math>n+1</math> is odd
+
<math>s</math> is even, <math>s+1</math> is odd
  
−
There are a total of <math>(\frac{n-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(n)}+(\frac{n}{3})</math> isosceles triangles in a polygon with <math>n</math> sides. There are a total of <math>\frac{n}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}</math> isosceles triangles in a polygon with <math>n+1</math> sides. Therefore, <math>\frac{n}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}-(\frac{n-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(n)}-(\frac{n}{3})=78</math>. Simplifying, we get <math>n=36</math>.
+
There are a total of <math>(\frac{s-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}+(\frac{s}{3})</math> isosceles triangles in a polygon with <math>s</math> sides. There are a total of <math>\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}</math> isosceles triangles in a polygon with <math>s+1</math> sides. Therefore, <math>\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-(\frac{s-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}-(\frac{s}{3})=78</math>. Simplifying, we get <math>s=36</math>.
  
−
Case <math>6</math>:
+
Case 6:
  
−
<math>n\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>n+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
+
<math>s\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>, <math>s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}</math>
  
−
<math>n</math> is odd, <math>n+1</math> is even
+
<math>s</math> is odd, <math>s+1</math> is even
  
−
There are a total of <math>(\frac{n-1}{2})\cdot{(n)}+(\frac{n}{3}-1)</math> isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>n</math> sides. There are <math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}</math> isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>n+1</math> sides. Therefore,<math>\frac{n-1}{2}\cdot{(n+1)}-(\frac{n-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(n)}-(\frac{n}{3})=78</math>. Simplifying, we get <math>7n=81</math>, which means <math>n</math> is not an integer. Thus, this case is invalid.
+
There are a total of <math>(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}+(\frac{s}{3})</math> isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>s</math> sides. There are <math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}</math> isosceles triangles in the polygon with <math>s+1</math> sides. Therefore,<math>\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}-(\frac{s}{3})=78</math>. Simplifying, we get <math>7s=471</math>, which means <math>s</math> is not an integer. Thus, this case is invalid.
  
 
Adding all the valid cases, we obtain <math>52+157+36=\boxed{245}</math>
 
Adding all the valid cases, we obtain <math>52+157+36=\boxed{245}</math>
 +
 +
~[https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php/User:Magnetoninja Magnetoninja]
  
 
==Video Solution==
 
==Video Solution==

Latest revision as of 19:45, 29 January 2024

Problem

For each integer $n\geq3$, let $f(n)$ be the number of $3$-element subsets of the vertices of the regular $n$-gon that are the vertices of an isosceles triangle (including equilateral triangles). Find the sum of all values of $n$ such that $f(n+1)=f(n)+78$.

Solution 1

Considering $n \pmod{6}$, we have the following formulas:

$n\equiv 0$: $\frac{n(n-4)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}$

$n\equiv 2, 4$: $\frac{n(n-2)}{2}$

$n\equiv 3$: $\frac{n(n-3)}{2} + \frac{n}{3}$

$n\equiv 1, 5$: $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$

To derive these formulas, we note the following: Any isosceles triangle formed by the vertices of our regular $n$-sided polygon $P$ has its sides from the set of edges and diagonals of $P$. Notably, as two sides of an isosceles triangle must be equal, it is important to use the property that same-lengthed edges and diagonals come in groups of $n$, unless $n$ is even when one set of diagonals (those which bisect the polygon) comes in a group of $\frac{n}{2}$. Three properties hold true of $f(n)$:

When $n$ is odd there are $\frac{n(n-1)}{2}$ satisfactory subsets (This can be chosen with $n$ choices for the not-base vertex, and $\frac{n-1}{2}$ for the pair of equal sides as we have $n-1$ edges to choose from, and we must divide by 2 for over-count).*

  • Another explanation: For any diagonal or side of the polygon chosen as the base of the isosceles triangle, there is exactly 1 isosceles triangle that can be formed. So, the total number of satisfactory subsets is $\dbinom{n}{2}=\dfrac{n(n-1)}{2}.$

When $n$ is even there are $\frac{n(n-2)}{2}$ satisfactory subsets (This can be chosen with $n$ choices for the not-base vertex, and $\frac{n-2}{2}$ for the pair of equal sides as we have $n-1$ edges to choose from, one of them which is not satisfactory (the bisecting edge), and we must divide by 2 for over-count).

When $n$ is a multiple of three we additionally over-count equilateral triangles, of which there are $\frac{n}{3}$. As we count them three times, we are two times over, so we subtract $\frac{2n}{3}$.

Considering the six possibilities $n \equiv 0,1,2,3,4,5 \pmod{6}$ and solving, we find that the only valid solutions are $n = 36, 52, 157$, from which the answer is $36 + 52 + 157 = \boxed{245}$.

Solution 2 (elaborates on the possible cases)

In the case that $n\equiv 0\pmod 3$, there are $\frac{n}{3}$ equilateral triangles. We will now count the number of non-equilateral isosceles triangles in this case.

Select a vertex $P$ of a regular $n$-gon. We will count the number of isosceles triangles with their vertex at $P$. (In other words, we are counting the number of isosceles triangles $\triangle APB$ with $A, B, P$ among the vertices of the $n$-gon, and $AP=BP$.)

If the side $AP$ spans $k$ sides of the $n$-gon (where $k<\frac{n}{2}$), the side $BP$ must span $k$ sides of the $n$-gon, and, thus, the side $AB$ must span $n-2k$ sides of the $n$-gon. As $\triangle ABP$ has three distinct vertices, the side $AB$ must span at least one side, so $n-2k \ge 1$. Combining this inequality with the fact that $1\le k<\frac{n}{2}$ and $k\not = \frac{n}{3}$ (as $\triangle ABP$ cannot be equilateral), we find that there are $\lceil\frac{n}{2}\rceil-2$ possible $k$.

As each of the $n$ vertices can be the vertex of a given triangle $\triangle ABP$, there are $\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -2 \right)\cdot n$ non-equilateral isosceles triangles.

Adding in the $\frac{n}{3}$ equilateral triangles, we find that for $n\equiv 0\pmod 3$: $f(n) = \frac{n}{3}+\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -2\right)\cdot n$.

On the other hand, if $n\equiv 1, 2\pmod 3$, there are no equilateral triangles, and we may follow the logic of the paragraph above to find that $f(n)=\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -1\right)\cdot n$.

We may now rewrite the given equation, based on the remainder $n$ leaves when divided by 3.


Case 1: $n\equiv 0\pmod 3$ The equation $f(n+1)=f(n)+78$ for this case is $\left(\lceil \frac{n+1}{2} \rceil -1\right)\cdot (n+1)=\frac{n}{3}+\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -2\right)\cdot n+78$.

In this case, $n$ is of the form $6k$ or $6k+3$, for some integer $k$.

Subcase 1: $n=6k$ Plugging into the equation above yields $k=6\rightarrow n=36$.

Subcase 2: $n=6k+3$ Plugging into the equation above yields $7k=75$, which has no integer solutions.

Case 2: $n\equiv 1\pmod 3$ The equation $f(n+1)=f(n)+78$ for this case is $\left(\lceil \frac{n+1}{2} \rceil -1\right)\cdot (n+1)=\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -1\right)\cdot n+78$.

In this case, $n$ is of the form $6k+1$ or $6k+4$, for some integer $k$.

Subcase 1: $n=6k+1$ In this case, the equation above yields $k=8\rightarrow n=52$.

Subcase 2: $n=6k+4$ In this case, the equation above yields $k=26\rightarrow n=157$.

Case 3: $n\equiv 2\pmod 3$ The equation $f(n+1)=f(n)+78$ for this case is $\frac{n+1}{3}+\left(\lceil \frac{n+1}{2} \rceil -2\right)\cdot (n+1)=\left(\lceil \frac{n}{2} \rceil -1\right)\cdot n+78$.

In this case, $n$ is of the form $6k+2$ or $6k+5$, for some integer $k$.

Subcase 1: $n=6k+2$ The equation above reduces to $5k=77$, which has no integer solutions.

Subcase 2: $n=6k+5$ The equation above reduces to $k=-80$, which does not yield a positive integer solution for $n$.

In summary, the possible $n$ are $36, 52, 157$, which add to $\boxed{245}$.

Solution 3

We first notice that when a polygon has $s$ sides where $s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, there cannot exist any three vertices that form an equilateral triangle. Also, the parity of $s$ and $s+1$ also matters, since they influence how many isosceles triangles including equilateral triangles exist in the polygon. We can model an equation $2x+y=s$, where the lines that are congruent connect the vertices that are $x$ vertices apart and the other line has vertices that are $y$ vertices apart. If $s$ is even, there are $\frac{s-2}{2}$ solutions for $(x,y)$ which would create a unique type of isosceles triangle. We subtract two since $y$ cannot be zero. If $s$ is odd, there are $\frac{s-1}{2}$ solutions for $(x,y)$. Next, we do casework on the congruence of $s\pmod{3}$ and the parody of $s$ using the information above:

Case 1:

$s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is even, $s+1$ is odd

There are $\frac{s-2}{2}$ unique types of isosceles triangles in the polygon with $s$ sides. Each isosceles triangle has a unique point which connects the two congruent sides. Therefore, for each type of isosceles triangle, there exists $s$ of those triangles since the unique point can be any of the $s$ vertices. There are $\frac{s}{2}$ types of isosceles triangles in the polygon with $s+1$ sides and $s+1$ unique points for each type of triangle. Therefore, $\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78$. Solving, we get $s=52$.

Case 2:

$s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is odd, $s+1$ is even

Using similar logic, there are $\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}$ possible isosceles triangles in the $s$ sided polygon. There are $\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}$ possible isosceles triangles in the $s+1$ sided polygon. The difference should be $78$, so $\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78$. Solving gives $s=157$.

For both of these cases, we don't have to worry about equilateral triangles since in both cases $s,s+1\nmid3$.

Case 3:

$s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is even, $s+1$ is odd

There are $\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}$ possible isosceles triangles in the $s$ sided polygon. The $s+1$ case is a bit more complicated, as we have to consider equilateral triangles as well. In this case, there is one solution where $x=y$, which would produce an equilateral triangle. Therefore, we subtract that case to calculate only isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides. Only isosceles triangles with exactly 2 congruent sides have a unique point, while there exist only $\frac{s+1}{3}$ distinct equilateral triangles in a polygon with $s+1$ sides, the rest are equivalent and symmetrical. Therefore, there are $(\frac{s}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}+\frac{s+1}{3}$ isosceles triangles with at least 2 congruent sides in a polygon with $s+1$ sides. Putting it together, $\frac{s}{2}-1\cdot{(s+1)}+(\frac{s+1}{3})-\frac{s-2}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78$. Solving yields $5s=772$ which is impossible since $s$ has to be an integer. Therefore, this case is not valid.

Case 4:

$s\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is odd, $s+1$ is even

There are $\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}$ isosceles triangles in the $s$ sided polygon. Using the idea above, there are $(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}$ isosceles triangles with 2 congruent sides in an $s+1$ sided polygon. There are $\frac{s+1}{3}$ equilateral triangles. Therefore, $(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s+1)}+(\frac{s+1}{3})-\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s)}=78$. Looking at the left hand side, it is clear that $s$ has to be negative, which is not valid. Therefore, this case is not valid.

Case 5:

$s\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is even, $s+1$ is odd

There are a total of $(\frac{s-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}+(\frac{s}{3})$ isosceles triangles in a polygon with $s$ sides. There are a total of $\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}$ isosceles triangles in a polygon with $s+1$ sides. Therefore, $\frac{s}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-(\frac{s-2}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}-(\frac{s}{3})=78$. Simplifying, we get $s=36$.

Case 6:

$s\equiv 0\pmod{3}$, $s+1\not\equiv 0\pmod{3}$

$s$ is odd, $s+1$ is even

There are a total of $(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}+(\frac{s}{3})$ isosceles triangles in the polygon with $s$ sides. There are $\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}$ isosceles triangles in the polygon with $s+1$ sides. Therefore,$\frac{s-1}{2}\cdot{(s+1)}-(\frac{s-1}{2}-1)\cdot{(s)}-(\frac{s}{3})=78$. Simplifying, we get $7s=471$, which means $s$ is not an integer. Thus, this case is invalid.

Adding all the valid cases, we obtain $52+157+36=\boxed{245}$

~Magnetoninja

Video Solution

https://youtu.be/fFgakiw66WY

~MathProblemSolvingSkills.com


See Also

2017 AIME II (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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Problem 14
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