Difference between revisions of "2003 AIME II Problems/Problem 14"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
Let <math>A = (0,0)</math> and <math>B = (b,2)</math> be points on the coordinate plane. Let <math>ABCDEF</math> be a convex equilateral hexagon such that <math>\angle FAB = 120^\circ,</math> <math>\overline{AB}\parallel \overline{DE},</math> <math>\overline{BC}\parallel \overline{EF,}</math> <math>\overline{CD}\parallel \overline{FA},</math> and the y-coordinates of its vertices are distinct elements of the set <math>\{0,2,4,6,8,10\}.</math> The area of the hexagon can be written in the form <math>m\sqrt {n},</math> where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are positive integers and n is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <math>m + n.</math>
+
Let <math>A = (0,0)</math> and <math>B = (b,2)</math> be points on the coordinate plane. Let <math>ABCDEF</math> be a convex equilateral hexagon such that <math>\angle FAB = 120^\circ,</math> <math>\overline{AB}\parallel \overline{DE},</math> <math>\overline{BC}\parallel \overline{EF,}</math> <math>\overline{CD}\parallel \overline{FA},</math> and the y-coordinates of its vertices are distinct elements of the set <math>\{0,2,4,6,8,10\}.</math> The area of the hexagon can be written in the form <math>m\sqrt {n},</math> where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are positive integers and <math>n</math> is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find <math>m + n.</math>
  
== Solution ==
+
== Solution 1==
  
The y-coordinate of <math>F</math> must be <math>4</math>.  All other cases yield non-convex hexagons, which violate the problem statement.
+
The y-coordinate of <math>F</math> must be <math>4</math>.  All other cases yield non-convex and/or degenerate hexagons, which violate the problem statement.
  
 
Letting <math>F = (f,4)</math>, and knowing that <math>\angle FAB = 120^\circ</math>, we can use rewrite <math>F</math> using complex numbers:
 
Letting <math>F = (f,4)</math>, and knowing that <math>\angle FAB = 120^\circ</math>, we can use rewrite <math>F</math> using complex numbers:
<math>f + 4 i = (b + 2 i)\left(e^{i(2 \pi / 3)}\right) = (b + 2 i)\left(-1/2 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} i\right) = -\frac{b}{2}-\sqrt{3}+\left(\frac{b\sqrt{3}}{2}-1\right)i</math>.  We solve for <math>b</math> and <math>f</math> and find that <math>F = \left(\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}, 4\right)</math> and that <math>B = \left(\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}, 2\right)</math>.
+
<math>f + 4 i = (b + 2 i)\left(e^{i(2 \pi / 3)}\right) = (b + 2 i)\left(-1/2 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} i\right) = -\frac{b}{2}-\sqrt{3}+\left(\frac{b\sqrt{3}}{2}-1\right)i</math>.  We solve for <math>b</math> and <math>f</math> and find that <math>F = \left(-\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}, 4\right)</math> and that <math>B = \left(\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}, 2\right)</math>.
  
The area of the hexagon can then be found as the sum of the areas of two congruent triangles (<math>EFA</math> and <math>BCD</math>, with height <math>8</math> and base <math>\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}</math> and a parallelogram (<math>ABDE</math>, with height <math>8</math> and base <math>\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}</math>.
+
The area of the hexagon can then be found as the sum of the areas of two congruent triangles (<math>EFA</math> and <math>BCD</math>, with height <math>8</math> and base <math>\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}</math>) and a parallelogram (<math>ABDE</math>, with height <math>8</math> and base <math>\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}</math>).
  
 
<math>A = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}} + 8 \times \frac{10}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{144}{\sqrt{3}} = 48\sqrt{3}</math>.
 
<math>A = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}} + 8 \times \frac{10}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{144}{\sqrt{3}} = 48\sqrt{3}</math>.
  
Thus, <math>m+n = \boxed{51}</math>.
+
Thus, <math>m+n = \boxed{051}</math>.
  
== Solution (Incomplete/incorrect) ==
+
== Solution 2 ==
{{image}}
+
<asy>
 +
size(200);
 +
draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle);
 +
dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4));
 +
label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),S);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W);
 +
</asy>
 +
From this image, we can see that the y-coordinate of F is 4, and from this, we can gather that the coordinates of E, D, and C, respectively, are 8, 10, and 6.
 +
 
 +
<asy>
 +
size(200);
 +
draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle);
 +
dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4));
 +
label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),SE);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W);
 +
xaxis("$x$");yaxis("$y$");
 +
pair b=foot((10/sqrt(3),2),(0,0),(10,0));
 +
pair f=foot((-8/sqrt(3),4),(0,0),(-10,0));
 +
draw(b--(10/sqrt(3),2),dotted);
 +
draw(f--(-8/sqrt(3),4),dotted);
 +
label("$\theta$",(0,0),7*dir((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)+(4*sqrt(21)/3,0)));
 +
</asy>
 +
 
 +
Let the angle between the <math>x</math>-axis and segment <math>AB</math> be  <math>\theta</math>, as shown above. Thus, as <math>\angle FAB=120^\circ</math>, the angle between the <math>x</math>-axis and segment <math>AF</math> is <math>60-\theta</math>, so <math>\sin{(60-\theta)}=2\sin{\theta}</math>. Expanding, we have
  
From this image, we can see that the y-coordinate of F is 4, and from this, we can gather that the coordinates of E, D, and C, respectively, are 8, 10, and 6.
+
<center><math>\sin{60}\cos{\theta}-\cos{60}\sin{\theta}=\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{\theta}}{2}-\frac{\sin{\theta}}{2}=2\sin{\theta}</math></center>
 +
 
 +
Isolating <math>\sin{\theta}</math> we see that <math>\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{\theta}}{2}=\frac{5\sin{\theta}}{2}</math>, or <math>\cos{\theta}=\frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}\sin{\theta}</math>. Using the fact that <math>\sin^2{\theta}+\cos^2{\theta}=1</math>, we have <math>\frac{28}{3}\sin^2{\theta}=1</math>, or <math>\sin{\theta}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}</math>. Letting the side length of the hexagon be <math>y</math>, we have <math>\frac{2}{y}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}</math>. After simplification we find that that <math>y=\frac{4\sqrt{21}}{3}</math>.
 +
 
 +
In particular, note that by the Pythagorean theorem, <math>b^2+2^2=y^2</math>, hence <math>b=10\sqrt{3}/3</math>. Also, if <math>C=(c,6)</math>, then <math>y^2=BC^2=4^2+(c-b)^2</math>, hence <math>c-b=8\sqrt{3}/3,</math> and thus <math>c=18\sqrt{3}/3</math>. Using similar methods (or symmetry), we determine that <math>D=(10\sqrt{3}/3,10)</math>, <math>E=(0,8)</math>, and <math>F=(-8\sqrt{3}/3,4)</math>. By the Shoelace theorem,
 +
<cmath>[ABCDEF]=\frac12\left|\begin{array}{cc}
 +
0&0\\
 +
10\sqrt{3}/3&2\\
 +
18\sqrt{3}/3&6\\
 +
10\sqrt{3}/3&10\\
 +
0&8\\
 +
-8\sqrt{3}/3&4\\
 +
0&0\\
 +
\end{array}\right|=\frac12|60+180+80-36-60-(-64)|\sqrt{3}/3=48\sqrt{3}.</cmath>
 +
 
 +
Hence the answer is <math>\boxed{51}</math>.
  
{{image}}
+
===Note===
 +
By symmetry the area of <math>ABCDEF</math> is twice the area of <math>ABCF</math>. Therefore, you only need to calculate the coordinates of <math>B</math>, <math>C</math>, and <math>F</math>.
 +
== Solution 3 ==
 +
This is similar to solution 2 but faster and easier.
 +
First off we see that the y coordinate of F must be 4, the y coordinate of E must be 8, the y coordinate of D must be 10, and the y coordinate of C must be 6 (from the parallel sides of the hexagon).
 +
We then use the sine sum angle formula to find the x coordinate of B (lets call it <math>x</math>):  <math>2\cdot\cos(120)+x\sin(120)=\frac{x\sqrt3}{2}-1=4\rightarrow x=\frac{10\sqrt3}{3}</math>.
 +
Now that we know <math>x</math> we can find the x coordinate of F in multiple ways, including using the cosine sum angle formula or using the fact that triangle AFE is isosceles and AE is on the y axis.  Either way, we find that the x coordinate of F is <math>-\frac{8\sqrt3}{3}</math>.
 +
Now, divide ABCDEF into two congruent triangles and a parallelogram:  AFE, BCD, and ABDE.  The areas of AFE and BCD are each <math>\frac12\cdot\frac{8\sqrt3}{3}\cdot8=\frac{32\sqrt3}{3}</math>.  The area of ABDE is <math>\frac12\cdot8\cdot\frac{10\sqrt3}{3}=\frac{80\sqrt3}3</math>.
 +
The total area of the hexagon is <math>2\cdot\frac{32\sqrt3}3+\frac{80\sqrt3}3=\frac{144\sqrt3}{3}=48\sqrt3\rightarrow48+3=\boxed{051}</math>
  
In this image, we have drawn perpendiculars to the <math>x</math>-axis from F and B, and have labeled the angle between the <math>x</math>-axis and segment <math>AB</math> <math>x</math>. Thus, the angle between the <math>x</math>-axis and segment <math>AF</math> is <math>60-x</math> so, <math>\sin{(60-x)}=2\sin{x}</math>. Expanding, we have
+
==Solution 4 (No Trig)==
  
<center><math>\sin{60}\cos{x}-\cos{60}\sin{x}=\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{x}}{2}-\frac{\sin{x}}{2}=2\sin{x}</math></center>
+
<asy> size(200); draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle); dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4)); label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),SE);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W); xaxis("$x$");yaxis("$y$"); pair b=foot((10/sqrt(3),2),(0,0),(10,0)); pair f=foot((-8/sqrt(3),4),(0,0),(-10,0)); draw(b--(10/sqrt(3),2),dotted); draw(f--(-8/sqrt(3),4),dotted); label("$\theta$",(0,0),7*dir((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)+(4*sqrt(21)/3,0))); </asy>
  
Isolating <math>\sin{x}</math> we see that <math>\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{x}}{2}=\frac{5\sin{x}}{2}</math>, or <math>\cos{x}=\frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}\sin{x}</math>. Using the fact that <math>\sin^2{x}+\cos^2{x}=1</math>, we have <math>\frac{28}{3}\sin^2{x}=1</math>, or <math>\sin{x}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}</math>. Letting the side length of the hexagon be <math>y</math>, we have <math>\frac{2}{y}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}</math>. After simplification we see that <math>y=\frac{4\sqrt{21}}{3}</math>.
+
First, we see that the y-coordinates of F, E, D, and C must be 4, 8, and 10, and 6, respectively, as in the previous solutions. We can draw a rectangle around the hexagon ABCDEF and use negative space to find the area of the hexagon. If we call the distance from the foot of the perpendiculars of B and F to A <math>x</math> and <math>z</math>, respectively, and the distance from the bottom left vertex of the rectangle to the foot of the perpendicular from B <math>y</math>. This tells us that the area of the entire rectangle is <math>10(x+y+z)</math>, since the opposite sides are parallel and thus the length of the rectangle is <math>4+4+2=10</math>. Then,
 +
if we find the area of the extra triangles and subtract, we find that the area of hexagon ABCDEF as <math>6x+8z+2y</math>. However, noticing that <math>x=y</math>, the area of ABCDEF can also be expressed as <math>8(x+z)</math>. Now we just need to find <math>x+z</math>. Since <math>AB=AF</math> and <math>\angle BAF = 120</math> degrees, <math>BF=AB\sqrt{3}</math>. However, we can find AB by using the Pythagorean Theorem on either of the right triangles formed by dropping perpendiculars from B and F to the x-axis (let's call them ABX and AFY).
 +
From triangle ABX we have that <math>AB=\sqrt{4+x^2}</math>, so <math>BF=\sqrt{3x^2+12}</math>. Since AB=AF, we can also form the equation <math>4+x^2=16+z^2</math>.
 +
We can also find BF by dropping a perpendicular from B to line FY and using the Pythagorean Theorem on the right triangle formed. This gives us <math>BF=\sqrt{4+(x+z)^2}</math>. Setting our two values of BF equal and substituting <math>x^2</math> as <math>12+z^2</math> and simplifying, we get the equation <math>3z^4-16z^2-1024=0</math>. Now we can use the quadratic formula to get that <math>z^2=\frac{64}{3}</math> or <math>-18</math>, so <math>z^2=\frac{64}{3}</math>. Plugging this value back into the equation <math>x^2=12+z^2</math>, we get that <math>x^2=\frac{100}{3}</math>. Now we get that <math>x+z</math> is <math>6\sqrt{3}</math>, so the area of the hexagon is <math>8 \cdot 6\sqrt{3}=48\sqrt{3}</math>, so the answer is <math>48+3=\boxed{051}</math>
  
'''The following is incorrect as the hexagon is NOT regular (although it is equilateral).  The previous work IS correct, so I am leaving it as part of an incomplete solution'''
+
~ant08 and sky2025
  
The area of the hexagon is <math>\frac{3y^2\sqrt{3}}{2}</math>, so the area of the hexagon is <math>\frac{3*\frac{16*21}{3^2}*\sqrt{3}}{2}=56\sqrt{3}</math>, or <math>m+n=\boxed{059}</math>.
+
==Video Solution by Sal Khan==
 +
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-BKdC8vOo&list=PLSQl0a2vh4HCtW1EiNlfW_YoNAA38D0l4&index=4
 +
- AMBRIGGS
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
{{AIME box|year=2003|n=II|num-b=13|num-a=15}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2003|n=II|num-b=13|num-a=15}}
 
[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]
 
[[Category:Intermediate Geometry Problems]]
 +
{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 17:08, 31 July 2024

Problem

Let $A = (0,0)$ and $B = (b,2)$ be points on the coordinate plane. Let $ABCDEF$ be a convex equilateral hexagon such that $\angle FAB = 120^\circ,$ $\overline{AB}\parallel \overline{DE},$ $\overline{BC}\parallel \overline{EF,}$ $\overline{CD}\parallel \overline{FA},$ and the y-coordinates of its vertices are distinct elements of the set $\{0,2,4,6,8,10\}.$ The area of the hexagon can be written in the form $m\sqrt {n},$ where $m$ and $n$ are positive integers and $n$ is not divisible by the square of any prime. Find $m + n.$

Solution 1

The y-coordinate of $F$ must be $4$. All other cases yield non-convex and/or degenerate hexagons, which violate the problem statement.

Letting $F = (f,4)$, and knowing that $\angle FAB = 120^\circ$, we can use rewrite $F$ using complex numbers: $f + 4 i = (b + 2 i)\left(e^{i(2 \pi / 3)}\right) = (b + 2 i)\left(-1/2 + \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} i\right) = -\frac{b}{2}-\sqrt{3}+\left(\frac{b\sqrt{3}}{2}-1\right)i$. We solve for $b$ and $f$ and find that $F = \left(-\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}, 4\right)$ and that $B = \left(\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}, 2\right)$.

The area of the hexagon can then be found as the sum of the areas of two congruent triangles ($EFA$ and $BCD$, with height $8$ and base $\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}$) and a parallelogram ($ABDE$, with height $8$ and base $\frac{10}{\sqrt{3}}$).

$A = 2 \times \frac{1}{2} \times 8 \times \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}} + 8 \times \frac{10}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{144}{\sqrt{3}} = 48\sqrt{3}$.

Thus, $m+n = \boxed{051}$.

Solution 2

[asy] size(200); draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle); dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4)); label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),S);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W); [/asy] From this image, we can see that the y-coordinate of F is 4, and from this, we can gather that the coordinates of E, D, and C, respectively, are 8, 10, and 6.

[asy] size(200); draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle); dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4)); label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),SE);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W); xaxis("$x$");yaxis("$y$"); pair b=foot((10/sqrt(3),2),(0,0),(10,0)); pair f=foot((-8/sqrt(3),4),(0,0),(-10,0)); draw(b--(10/sqrt(3),2),dotted); draw(f--(-8/sqrt(3),4),dotted); label("$\theta$",(0,0),7*dir((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)+(4*sqrt(21)/3,0))); [/asy]

Let the angle between the $x$-axis and segment $AB$ be $\theta$, as shown above. Thus, as $\angle FAB=120^\circ$, the angle between the $x$-axis and segment $AF$ is $60-\theta$, so $\sin{(60-\theta)}=2\sin{\theta}$. Expanding, we have

$\sin{60}\cos{\theta}-\cos{60}\sin{\theta}=\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{\theta}}{2}-\frac{\sin{\theta}}{2}=2\sin{\theta}$

Isolating $\sin{\theta}$ we see that $\frac{\sqrt{3}\cos{\theta}}{2}=\frac{5\sin{\theta}}{2}$, or $\cos{\theta}=\frac{5}{\sqrt{3}}\sin{\theta}$. Using the fact that $\sin^2{\theta}+\cos^2{\theta}=1$, we have $\frac{28}{3}\sin^2{\theta}=1$, or $\sin{\theta}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}$. Letting the side length of the hexagon be $y$, we have $\frac{2}{y}=\sqrt{\frac{3}{28}}$. After simplification we find that that $y=\frac{4\sqrt{21}}{3}$.

In particular, note that by the Pythagorean theorem, $b^2+2^2=y^2$, hence $b=10\sqrt{3}/3$. Also, if $C=(c,6)$, then $y^2=BC^2=4^2+(c-b)^2$, hence $c-b=8\sqrt{3}/3,$ and thus $c=18\sqrt{3}/3$. Using similar methods (or symmetry), we determine that $D=(10\sqrt{3}/3,10)$, $E=(0,8)$, and $F=(-8\sqrt{3}/3,4)$. By the Shoelace theorem, \[[ABCDEF]=\frac12\left|\begin{array}{cc} 0&0\\ 10\sqrt{3}/3&2\\ 18\sqrt{3}/3&6\\ 10\sqrt{3}/3&10\\ 0&8\\ -8\sqrt{3}/3&4\\ 0&0\\ \end{array}\right|=\frac12|60+180+80-36-60-(-64)|\sqrt{3}/3=48\sqrt{3}.\]

Hence the answer is $\boxed{51}$.

Note

By symmetry the area of $ABCDEF$ is twice the area of $ABCF$. Therefore, you only need to calculate the coordinates of $B$, $C$, and $F$.

Solution 3

This is similar to solution 2 but faster and easier. First off we see that the y coordinate of F must be 4, the y coordinate of E must be 8, the y coordinate of D must be 10, and the y coordinate of C must be 6 (from the parallel sides of the hexagon). We then use the sine sum angle formula to find the x coordinate of B (lets call it $x$): $2\cdot\cos(120)+x\sin(120)=\frac{x\sqrt3}{2}-1=4\rightarrow x=\frac{10\sqrt3}{3}$. Now that we know $x$ we can find the x coordinate of F in multiple ways, including using the cosine sum angle formula or using the fact that triangle AFE is isosceles and AE is on the y axis. Either way, we find that the x coordinate of F is $-\frac{8\sqrt3}{3}$. Now, divide ABCDEF into two congruent triangles and a parallelogram: AFE, BCD, and ABDE. The areas of AFE and BCD are each $\frac12\cdot\frac{8\sqrt3}{3}\cdot8=\frac{32\sqrt3}{3}$. The area of ABDE is $\frac12\cdot8\cdot\frac{10\sqrt3}{3}=\frac{80\sqrt3}3$. The total area of the hexagon is $2\cdot\frac{32\sqrt3}3+\frac{80\sqrt3}3=\frac{144\sqrt3}{3}=48\sqrt3\rightarrow48+3=\boxed{051}$

Solution 4 (No Trig)

[asy] size(200); draw((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)--(18/sqrt(3),6)--(10/sqrt(3),10)--(0,8)--(-8/sqrt(3),4)--cycle); dot((0,0));dot((10/sqrt(3),2));dot((18/sqrt(3),6));dot((10/sqrt(3),10));dot((0,8));dot((-8/sqrt(3),4)); label("$A (0,0)$",(0,0),SE);label("$B (b,2)$",(10/sqrt(3),2),SE);label("$C$",(18/sqrt(3),6),E);label("$D$",(10/sqrt(3),10),N);label("$E$",(0,8),NW);label("$F$",(-8/sqrt(3),4),W); xaxis("$x$");yaxis("$y$"); pair b=foot((10/sqrt(3),2),(0,0),(10,0)); pair f=foot((-8/sqrt(3),4),(0,0),(-10,0)); draw(b--(10/sqrt(3),2),dotted); draw(f--(-8/sqrt(3),4),dotted); label("$\theta$",(0,0),7*dir((0,0)--(10/sqrt(3),2)+(4*sqrt(21)/3,0))); [/asy]

First, we see that the y-coordinates of F, E, D, and C must be 4, 8, and 10, and 6, respectively, as in the previous solutions. We can draw a rectangle around the hexagon ABCDEF and use negative space to find the area of the hexagon. If we call the distance from the foot of the perpendiculars of B and F to A $x$ and $z$, respectively, and the distance from the bottom left vertex of the rectangle to the foot of the perpendicular from B $y$. This tells us that the area of the entire rectangle is $10(x+y+z)$, since the opposite sides are parallel and thus the length of the rectangle is $4+4+2=10$. Then, if we find the area of the extra triangles and subtract, we find that the area of hexagon ABCDEF as $6x+8z+2y$. However, noticing that $x=y$, the area of ABCDEF can also be expressed as $8(x+z)$. Now we just need to find $x+z$. Since $AB=AF$ and $\angle BAF = 120$ degrees, $BF=AB\sqrt{3}$. However, we can find AB by using the Pythagorean Theorem on either of the right triangles formed by dropping perpendiculars from B and F to the x-axis (let's call them ABX and AFY). From triangle ABX we have that $AB=\sqrt{4+x^2}$, so $BF=\sqrt{3x^2+12}$. Since AB=AF, we can also form the equation $4+x^2=16+z^2$. We can also find BF by dropping a perpendicular from B to line FY and using the Pythagorean Theorem on the right triangle formed. This gives us $BF=\sqrt{4+(x+z)^2}$. Setting our two values of BF equal and substituting $x^2$ as $12+z^2$ and simplifying, we get the equation $3z^4-16z^2-1024=0$. Now we can use the quadratic formula to get that $z^2=\frac{64}{3}$ or $-18$, so $z^2=\frac{64}{3}$. Plugging this value back into the equation $x^2=12+z^2$, we get that $x^2=\frac{100}{3}$. Now we get that $x+z$ is $6\sqrt{3}$, so the area of the hexagon is $8 \cdot 6\sqrt{3}=48\sqrt{3}$, so the answer is $48+3=\boxed{051}$

~ant08 and sky2025

Video Solution by Sal Khan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-BKdC8vOo&list=PLSQl0a2vh4HCtW1EiNlfW_YoNAA38D0l4&index=4 - AMBRIGGS

See also

2003 AIME II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
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All AIME Problems and Solutions

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